Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh smiles and laughs as attorneys spar over gun

The man arrested in connection with a suspected plot to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump was seen laughing and smiling as he appeared in federal court Tuesday morning for a pre-trial hearing. 

Asked how his day was going, Ryan Routh, 58, said it was “lovely.” 

The hearing, which regarded an AK-47 Routh was allegedly going to use to try to kill Trump at his Florida golf course, ended without a decision. 

Trump assassination suspect Ryan Routh was arrested for alleged attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sept. 15, 2024. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)

In December, Routh was hit with an attempted felony murder charge stemming from the chaotic aftermath of his apprehension. Interstate 95 in Florida was closed due to the pursuit, which allegedly caused a car crash that injured a young girl. 

Just last week, Routh was accused by federal prosecutors of attempting to obtain a rocket launcher from a Ukrainian contact as part of the alleged assassination plot.

Routh told his associate to “send me a rpg [rocket-propelled grenade] or stinger, and I will see what we can do… [Trump] is not good for Ukraine,” according to court documents obtained by Fox News.

The pair discussed Routh’s purchase options, with Routh allegedly inquiring if his associate could “ship it to me???” before explaining his intent for the military-grade weapons: “I need equipment so that Trump cannot get elected.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Routh’s attorneys. 

Fox News’ Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.