Ryan Routh: Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect's Troubled Journey Before Alleged Plot

Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, had a troubled past marked by alleged delusions of grandeur and a messiah complex.

Ryan Routh, the alleged would-be assassin of former President Donald Trump, had a troubled past marked by alleged delusions of grandeur and a messiah complex, according to reports.

Routh, 58, traveled to Ukraine in March 2023 to assist in the Ukrainian war effort, but was quickly dismissed as a "wack job" and "off" by other foreign fighters serving Ukraine. Sources within the volunteer effort told the New York Post that Routh had "delusions of grandeur" and a "messiah complex."

Ryan Routh: Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect's Troubled Journey Before Alleged Plot

Evelyn Aschenbrenner, an American who served in Ukraine's international legion, told USA Today that she also sensed something was amiss about Routh. "The vibe I got was a delusions of grandeur thing, like a religious zealot," Aschenbrenner said.

When Aschenbrenner learned that Routh had been arrested Sunday after allegedly lying in wait for Trump in the brush at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., with an SKS-style rifle, she told the outlet in simple terms: "That tracks."

Ryan Routh: Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect's Troubled Journey Before Alleged Plot

Routh, who was charged Monday with federal weapons violations, told Financial Times last year that Ukraine's international legion rejected him because he was "old" and lacked battlefield expertise. He told the outlet that it was suggested he help "recruit and coordinate" instead.

However, the volunteer force has denied any association with Routh and has long disavowed his solo efforts to recruit foreign fighters. Routh frustrated the force further when he went on his own to "recruit" former Afghan commandos to the Ukrainian cause.

Ryan Routh: Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect's Troubled Journey Before Alleged Plot

Aschenbrenner recalled a text exchange between her and Routh, in which he sent her a list of "five to six thousand Afghan names" who could potentially take up arms for Ukraine. "Who has vetted them? Do they even have passports? Do they have military experience?" Aschenbrenner recounted. "You have no authority to be talking to people about recruitment."

Another foreign legion member told the Post that Routh had a "Messiah complex," and his illegitimate efforts were ultimately hurting Ukraine. "This is not going to be good for support for Ukraine, to what degree I can't say," the member said.

Ryan Routh: Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect's Troubled Journey Before Alleged Plot

Routh's attempt to enlist a force of foreign fighters to help Ukraine beat back Russia follows a string of alleged personal vendettas and unstable behavior. In 2010, Routh was arrested in North Carolina for allegedly brandishing a machete at a neighbor's dog.

In 2017, he was arrested in North Carolina for allegedly trespassing and disturbing the peace. In 2020, he was arrested in Florida for allegedly violating an injunction against making verbal threats.

Ryan Routh: Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect's Troubled Journey Before Alleged Plot

These incidents raise questions about Routh's mental state and whether he should have been allowed to travel to Ukraine and potentially pose a threat to the former president. The investigation into Routh's motives and connections is ongoing.