A former friend of the suspect in the assassination attempt on Republican candidate Donald Trump has shared the last message he received from him.
Remus Cernea, a journalist at Newsweek based in Romania, said he knew Ryan Wesley Roth from their time together in Ukraine. Cernea explained that they lost contact after Roth sent him a message seeking help with obtaining visas for volunteers wanting to fight for Ukraine.
Roth’s Desires to Fight in Ukraine
Cernea stated that Roth expressed a desire to join the fight in Ukraine but had no military experience, making it unlikely. Describing Roth, Cernea said, “At times, he seemed a bit like a child, very emotional.”
In August 2023, Roth attempted to bring people from Asia to Ukraine but needed visas, which were difficult to obtain. Cernea clarified that he couldn’t assist Roth, as it was beyond his expertise and could have breached journalistic ethics.
Possible Motive Behind Roth’s Actions
Cernea speculated that Roth might have believed Trump was not an ally of Ukraine and feared that if Trump won the presidency, support for Ukraine could end. Roth had previously spoken about his strong support for Ukraine during an interview with Newsweek Romania in 2022, where he discussed his efforts to recruit foreign fighters for the war against Russia.
Long History of Arrests
According to a report by Fox News, Roth has a lengthy record of arrests stretching back decades. The 58-year-old suspect was shot by Secret Service agents after they heard gunfire at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Roth currently resides in Hawaii and has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement dating back to the 1990s.
