Ryan Wesley Routh has been identified as the suspect in the apparent assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump. The 58-year-old appeared in federal court in Florida on Monday and was charged with federal gun crimes. The incident has fueled various conspiracy theories, with the latest claiming Routh appeared in a commercial for the investment firm BlackRock.
This theory was initially spread by @BGatesIsaPsycho, who posted a video of Routh on X, writing, "Absolutely No Bloody Way The latest Trump would be assassin – Ryan Routh ALSO appeared in a Blackrock Commerical just like Thomas Crooks. That means BOTH featured in Global Wealth management firm’s Commercial. THESE ARENT COINCIDIENCES. They love their symbolism."
🚨🇺🇸 Absolutely No Bloody Way The latest Trump would be assassin – Ryan Routh ALSO appeared in a Blackrock Commerical just like Thomas Crooks.That means BOTH featured in Global Wealth management firm’s Commercial.THESE ARENT COINCIDIENCES.They love their symbolism. pic.twitter.com/qgZEWUPRtM
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) September 16, 2024
The post went viral, amassing over two million views in under 12 hours. However, the claim is false. The video is actually from a rally in Kyiv, calling for the safe evacuation of Ukrainian soldiers defending the besieged Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol. The video was released in 2022.
Related News | 
Ryan Wesley Routh's Facebook And X Accounts Allegedly Suspended After Trump Assassination Attempt
Ryan Wesley Routh: Suspect In Trump Assassination Attempt Allegedly Traveled To Ukraine, Supported Democrats
Routh's social media accounts have several posts in support of Ukraine. Routh claimed to be involved in recruiting soldiers to fight in the conflict against Russia. He had traveled to Ukraine and shared several photos and videos from his visit.
In one Facebook post, he wrote: "Soldiers, please do not call me. We are still trying to get Ukraine to accept Afghan soldiers and hope to have some answers in the coming months. If you are interested in fighting in Ukraine, you must have a passport and send it to me by way of Whatsapp. You must also have the money to purchase an airplane ticket to Moldova, if you cannot afford the cost you cannot go. We are also trying to get Taiwan to accept soldiers hopefully in the coming years. Please have patience. Ryan."
Footage from his 2022 interview with Newsweek Romania has also resurfaced, where he spoke about "recruiting foreign fighters for Ukraine."
Related News | 
Would-Be Trump Assassin Ryan Wesley Routh's Old Videos Surface: 'It's Good vs Evil'
Ryan Wesley Routh: 7 Key Facts On Donald Trump's Would Be Assasin
"The question as far as why I'm here –To me, a lot of the other conflicts are grey, but this conflict is definitely black and white," Routh said. "This is about good versus evil. This is a storybook, you know, any movie we've ever watched, this is definitely evil against good."
Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who opened fire at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania in July, had previously appeared in a BlackRock advertisement. The ad, filmed at Bethel Park High School in 2022, featured Crooks, who was a student at the time.