Fox News interrupted their regular programming on Wednesday to announce a major development in a high-profile criminal case that has captured national attention. The network reported that Ryan Routh, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, has been sentenced to life in prison.
Routh, 59, was found guilty of all five charges related to the 2024 assassination attempt at one of Trump’s West Palm Beach golf courses. The charges included attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations. U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon, presiding over the Southern District of Florida, handed down the sentence after the jury quickly reached a verdict. One Fox News host summarized the moment, saying, “Ryan Routh has been sentenced to life in prison. This was over the Trump assassination attempt. A full report will follow shortly.”
During the trial, the jury reportedly deliberated for roughly two hours but reached a decision within minutes after reviewing the evidence. The courtroom erupted in chaos immediately following the guilty verdict when Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen. Officers swiftly intervened and removed him from the courtroom.
For those following the latest developments, Fox News coverage highlighted the intense courtroom moments in real time (Fox News halts broadcast as would-be assassin faces sentencing), while other reports explored the wider public reaction to the sentencing (Trump’s would-be assassin Ryan Routh receives life sentence). Analysts also connected the case to Trump’s broader political narrative and security concerns (Trump sends chilling threat to Iran amid rising tensions).
Routh’s attorney, Martin Roth, had requested a 20-year sentence in addition to a seven-year mandatory sentence for one of the gun-related charges, emphasizing that Routh maintained his plea of not guilty and denied attempting to murder anyone. However, Judge Cannon described Routh as an “evil person” whose actions were intended to kill Trump, noting that the attempt was only stopped because of the quick actions of a Secret Service agent.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi also weighed in, stating, “Ryan Routh’s heinous attempted assassination of President Trump was not only an attack on our President it was a direct assault against our democratic system. Thanks to our prosecutors, Routh will never walk free again.”
Evidence presented at trial revealed that U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Robert Fercano spotted what appeared to be an AK-47-style rifle aimed at Trump from a concealed sniper position near the golf course. The assailant’s position contained a Norinco SKS rifle with a scope, a loaded magazine, one round in the chamber, steel armor plates, and a camera.
At the time of the attack, Trump was 400 to 500 yards from the sniper’s location. Fercano fired at Routh, who then fled the scene. Witnesses reported seeing Routh running across a road before escaping in a black Nissan Xterra. He was later apprehended traveling north on I-95, with law enforcement assistance from the Martin County and Palm Beach County sheriff’s offices.
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