Donald Trump says he will “never surrender” – in his first defiant reaction after the second assassination attempt

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Former President Donald Trump made his first statement following a second assassination attempt on him in Florida.

The Republican presidential candidate was playing golf at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach when gunshots were heard nearby on Sunday, September 15. Secret Service agents shot the assassin, who was carrying an AK-47 assault rifle, after he was spotted near the golf course's fence.

The suspect was later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii.

Trump confirmed in a brief campaign email to his supporters that he was safe.

“Shots were fired near me, but before the rumor mill gets out of control, I want you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND I AM FINE!” he wrote.

Trump declares after second assassination attempt that he will “never give up”

The MAGA spearhead announced his intention to move on after facing a death threat for the second time in over two months.

“Nothing will stop me. I will NEVER CAPITULATE!” Trump wrote in the fundraising email. “I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again.”

Suspect Ryan Wesley Routh arrested

The suspect was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, according to CNN. He was about 300 to 500 feet away from Trump and immediately fled the scene in a car, but was later arrested on I-95 in Martin County.

Trump narrowly escaped a presumably fatal bullet on July 13 while addressing his supporters at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired several shots, injuring the ex-president's ear. The gunman was shot dead at the scene by a Secret Service sniper.

“We were able to capture a witness who came up to us and said, 'Hey, I saw the guy run out of the bushes, he jumped into a black Nissan and I took a picture of the vehicle and the license plate.' That was great,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said after the Sept. 15 incident.

After the second attack, Trump thanked everyone for their well wishes in a post on Truth Social and said, “It certainly was an interesting day!”

He also thanked the US Secret Service, Sheriff Bradshaw and law enforcement for keeping him safe at the golf club. “THE JOB WAS ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!” Trump added.

The FBI has launched an investigation into the incident, which it says “appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.”

Internet supports Trump in his first statement after another assassination attempt

Internet users expressed their support for Trump, who escaped a second assassination attempt at his West Palm Beach golf course about two months after the Pennsylvania shooting. Some social media users also suggested that the incident called for increased protection for the real estate mogul.

“I love him more now than when I woke up this morning. This cat has more than nine lives,” one user wrote.

“What a strong man he is,” added another.

“What a class act!” said a third user.

“You must provide him with competent protection,” said a fourth response.

“As a former President of the United States of America, he deserves better protection,” someone interjected.

“I am incredibly happy that Trump is safe again. May God and the Secret Service protect him,” wrote another user.

“He did it! No more debates needed!!!” someone else remarked.

“Trump got nine lives,” was one comment.

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