Vance Reveals What Trump Told Him Immediately After Assassination Attempt

Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance revealed what former President Donald Trump told him during a phone call minutes after being the target of an assassination attempt for the second time in two months at his West Palm Beach golf course on Sunday (September 15).

“He says, ‘JD, you’re not going to believe this, but they tried to do it again,’” Vance told the crowd at a Faith and Freedom Coalition event in Georgia via the New York Post.

The Ohio senator said he was at home in Cincinnati with his family when he received the call from Trump.

“I said, ‘No, you’re joshing me. But, what’s going on here, sir?’” he added.

“I was playing golf and the Secret Service found somebody who was trying to shoot me,” Vance said Trump told him.

“I said, ‘Oh my Lord, sir, I’m so glad you’re okay,’” Vance responded.

Vance said Trump claimed he was fine but "pissed off" that he couldn't finish his birdie putt. The shooter, identified as Ryan Routh, was arrested near the Trump International Golf Club.

Routh, 58, is reported to have frequently posted about politics online, donated to Democratic candidates and causes since 2019, and had a Biden-Harris bumper sticker on the back of a pickup truck parked at his Kaaawa, Hawaii, home, the New York Post reported on Sunday. Trump broke his silence after being targeted in an assassination attempt for the second time in two months in a post shared on his Truth Social account late Sunday night.

"I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes - It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!" Trump wrote.

A Secret Service agent reportedly opened fire on a man spotted with an AK-47 assault rifle while Trump was playing golf, which caused the suspect to flee. The suspect was detained by the West Palm Beach Sheriff's Office after a traffic stop on I-95.

Trump confirmed that "there were gunshots in my vicinity" but noted that he was "SAFE AND WELL" in a campaign alert to his supporters on Sunday. The incident took place two months after Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt during his rally in Pennsylvania.

Trump's right ear was grazed during the initial shooting and he was seen yelling "fight" to his supporters while being evacuated from the rally by Secret Service members. One spectator, identified as Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed during the incident while two others, David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, were initially critically wounded but later upgraded to stable condition.

The shooter, Thomas Crooks, was taken out by Secret Service agents within seconds from opening fire, though also reported to be on officials' radar as a suspicious person more than 90 minutes before opening fire. Trump officially accepted the Republican presidential nomination during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18.