A recent golf outing with Donald Trump took a dangerous turn when a shooting incident unfolded, but details from a close friend of Trump shed light on the situation. New York real estate investor Steve Witkoff recounted the heroics of the Secret Service during the assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Witkoff shared his experience during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, highlighting how quickly agents reacted to protect Trump. “They were heroic,” he remarked, noting how the Secret Service bravely opened fire at the suspected gunman while risking their own safety.
This incident follows a previous security lapse that has stirred criticism against the Secret Service. During a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, earlier this year, a man armed with an AR-15-style rifle caused chaos, resulting in minor injuries to Trump and one death among his supporters.
On Sunday, the assailant, later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, did not fire at Trump as he hid in the woods surrounding the golf course. Routh faces charges for illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. His next court date is set for September 23.
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Witkoff, a gun owner himself, recognized the sound of gunfire immediately. He praised the Secret Service, describing their response as “exceptional,” noting that Trump, who was unarmed during the incident, was secured just feet away from the action. “By the time the fourth shot rang out, the president was on his way with that detail; it was as if they had practiced it 500 times before,” he recalled.
Witkoff further emphasized that the Secret Service placed themselves directly between the shooter and Trump, an action he witnessed firsthand. The FBI has confirmed they are investigating the incident as an assassination attempt.
According to court documents, Routh spent roughly 12 hours positioned in the woods before being detected by a Secret Service agent who spotted his rifle. Following gunfire exchanged between the agent and Routh, he fled the scene, abandoning a backpack and loaded rifle. He was later apprehended by local authorities on I-95, where he acknowledged his awareness of why he was being stopped.
The Secret Service has yet to issue a public statement regarding the incident.