Assassination attempt: Donald Trump breaks silence saying God wants him ‘to be president to save’ America

Donald Trump has broken his silence on the second attempt on his life, labelling his alleged would-be assassin “dangerous” and suggesting that he may still be alive because God wants Trump to “be president to save this country”.

Mr Trump was playing golf at Trump International Golf Club on Sunday local time when a Secret Service agent spotted a gun allegedly held by Ryan Routh hidden in shrubbery on the course perimeter.

The agent opened fire on the shooter, who then fled the scene. Local police quickly tracked down the alleged suspect, arresting him on the side of a busy Florida highway.

They later named him as Ryan Wesley Routh.

Speaking on X in his first interview since the ordeal to launch a new crypto business, Mr Trump described Routh as a “very, very dangerous person”.

“It was quite something but it worked out well and the Secret Service did an excellent job,” Mr Trump said.

“All of a sudden we heard shots being fired in the air … We got into the carts and we moved.

“I would have loved to have sank that last putt but we decided, let’s get out of here.”

Mr Trump added he hoped Mr Routh, if found guilty, would be imprisoned for a long time.

The former President said this attempt and the attempt by Thomas Crooks at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania were both carried out by the “radical left”, noting it was “very strange” that the FBI was yet to find a motive for the July shooting.

“There’s something going on,” Mr Trump said.

“Perhaps it’s God wanting me to be president to save this country.”

The comments come as Trump set off a fiery post on X, blaming President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the assassination attempt.

“The rhetoric, lies, as exemplified by the false statements made by Comrade Kamala Harris during the rigged and highly partisan ABC Debate, and all of the ridiculous lawsuits specifically designed to inflict damage on Joe’s, then Kamala’s, political opponent, ME, has taken politics in our country to a whole new level of hatred, abuse, and distrust.”

“Because of this communist left rhetoric, the bullets are flying, and it will only get worse!

“Allowing millions of people, from places unknown, to INVADE and take over our country, is an unpardonable sin.

“Our borders must be closed, and the terrorists, criminals, and mentally insane, immediately removed from American cities and towns, deported back to their countries of origin.

“We want people to come into our country, but they must love our nation, and come in legally and through a system of merit.

“The world is laughing at us as fools, they are stealing our jobs and our wealth.

“We cannot let them laugh any longer. Make America Great Again!”

Trump was full of praise for the Secret Service.

“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes — it was certainly an interesting day,” Trump said.

“Most importantly, I want to thank the US Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of law enforcement, for the incredible job done at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican nominee in the upcoming presidential election, safe.”