Former President Trump’s golf partner reacted to a second apparent attempt to assassinate the 2024 GOP candidate on “Hannity” Monday.
Steve Witkoff, a New York real estate investor, told Fox News host Sean Hannity that he was golfing with Trump on Sunday afternoon when the former president was evacuated from his golf course in West Palm Beach after sounds of gunfire were heard.
Members of the FBI are seen at the crime scene outside Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, following a shooting incident at former President Donald Trump’s golf course, September 15, 2024. Trump’s campaign said Sunday that there was “gunfire around him” but also said the Republican presidential nominee was safe. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)
“Yesterday was a great day. I really consider myself lucky that I was there yesterday. And I consider myself lucky, Sean, because I got a chance to see what it’s like for my dear friend to live his normal life. His normal life, which included two assassination attempts on him in the last 60 days, accusations (and) harassment of him since he left the presidency,” Witkoff said.
“He was here yesterday on a beautiful day, just trying to get some rest and relaxation like all of us were, and there was a guy with … an assault rifle who An attempt was made to kill him. It was horrible. But I got to see… I got to see a man who was determined, courageous, who thought of the safety of his friends before his own life. He was an inspiration to everybody around him yesterday. I wish the whole country could have seen what happened yesterday because they would have seen a real leader.”
Attempted murder suspect, 58 years old Ryan Wesley RouthOn Monday, he was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm that had the serial number obliterated.
An advance Secret Service agent spotted a rifle emerging from a row of trees near Trump’s golf course and opened fire, causing Routh to flee.
About 45 minutes after fleeing the scene, he was stopped and taken into custody by local police. according to a criminal complaint Released by the Justice Department. Cell phone records also show that Routh was around the golf course tree line for about 12 hours, from about 2 a.m. to 1:31 a.m.
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Agents recovered a digital camera, a backpack, a loaded SKS-style rifle with a scope and a bag full of food near the tree-lined area. Raut ran awayAccording to the complaint.
Photos of evidence found on a fence at former President Donald Trump’s golf course are shown at a press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024, after the second attack on the president. (Kandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)
Witkoff said as a gun owner he immediately knew he heard a gunshot.secret Service “They were extraordinary. They kept the President safe, because I was five yards away from him, I guess, probably after the first shot, definitely after the second shot. So, by the time the fourth shot was fired, the President was on his way with that contingent,” he explained.
“It looked like they had practiced it 500 times before. It was amazing to watch them. And they were heroic because their lives were at risk.”
Ronald Rowe Jr., the acting director of the U.S. Secret Service, told reporters on Monday that Routh was not eyeing Trump and did not fire any shots.
Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. addresses the media at a press conference with updates on the investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, West Palm Beach, Florida, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (MEGA for Fox News Digital)
“Upon receiving the news of the gunfire, the former President’s close security team immediately evacuated the President to a safe location. secret Service “The former president’s protective equipment helped identify the threat early and ensure a safe evacuation. The increased assets directed by President Biden went into effect yesterday,” Rowe said.
He also praised the men and women of the Secret Service for facing an “unprecedented and highly dynamic threat environment.”
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Rowe said that since the assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, the Secret Service has taken steps to bolster assets for the 2024 Republican nominee in an “already heightened security posture.”
Former President Trump was injured during an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ivan Vucci)
Witkoff told Hannity he was grateful his “dear friend” was not injured or killed following the incident.
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“I have a little bit of love for my dear friend. And I say to myself, thank God he wasn’t injured or killed, and thank God none of the other people were.” A lot of citizens, Well, his office staff, people who care about him as much as I do, two of his other friends, so there could have been some really serious damage there, but it didn’t,” he said. “And I’m grateful to the agent who intervened and that whole team.”
