Pickleball Pro to Donald Trump Gunman: Before Ryan Wesley Routh made headlines for allegedly becoming the second man to try and assassinate former President Donald Trump in two months, he was known for something entirely different—his passion for pickleball. Described as a “reasonably good player” by Bryant Schultz, a fellow pickleball enthusiast from Kaneohe, Oahu, Routh was more than just a participant at Swanzy Beach Park.
“He played really hard. He was the only one out at the courts who would dive for the ball. Most pickleball players do not dive to make a shot.” – (Schultz)
A Fixture on the Courts
For several years, Routh was a regular at the Swanzy Beach Park courts, where he and a group of residents gathered three mornings a week for casual pickleball matches. Schultz recalls Routh as being “always personable and good-natured,” both on and off the court. While Routh was known for being hard on himself when he made mistakes, he was never one to criticize his partners, maintaining a mild-mannered disposition.
Routh’s appearance at the park came after the worst of the pandemic had subsided. Schultz noted that Routh often didn’t seem to have much money, frequently borrowing paddles and even using a “chewed-up wooden paddle” because of his habit of diving for shots. Despite his financial challenges, he remained a beloved figure at the park.
Life Outside Pickleball and the Mystery Surrounding His Background
Routh’s life outside of pickleball was less clear. Schultz had heard he worked on “building tiny houses” and would often volunteer to do odd jobs around the community, such as repairing a local pier.
“He wasn’t paid or contracted. He just went out and made the surface safe for people to walk on.” – (Schultz)
On his LinkedIn profile, Routh advertised his work with Camp Box Honolulu, which he described as building storage units and simple housing for the less fortunate. In 2019, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Routh’s pledge to build tiny homes for Kalaeloa’s homeless community.
From Ukraine to the Courtroom
Though pickleball players never heard Routh speak about politics, his recent history paints a different picture. In 2022, he self-published a 291-page book that sharply criticized Donald Trump for pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, even calling for Trump’s assassination. Nevertheless, Schultz and others at the park remained unaware of Routh’s political views.
What they did know was that Routh had briefly left Hawaii to travel to Ukraine shortly after the Russian invasion, intending to fight for Kyiv. Rejected by the Ukrainian defense ministry due to his age and lack of military experience, Routh pivoted to becoming an informal recruiter for Ukraine’s International Legion, though officials later distanced themselves from his efforts.
Despite his failed recruitment mission, Routh returned to Hawaii and resumed playing pickleball. Schultz last saw him just weeks before his alleged assassination attempt, and nothing about Routh’s demeanor hinted at what was to come.
News in Brief: Pickleball Pro to Donald Trump Gunman
Ryan Wesley Routh, once known as an avid pickleball player in Hawaii, has now been charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump. Routh was a familiar face at Swanzy Beach Park, where he was praised for his hard play and good nature.
However, his political leanings, which he kept hidden from fellow players, emerged through his writings, including a self-published book calling for Trump’s assassination. Routh’s failed attempt to join Ukraine’s war efforts and his quiet return to Hawaii surprised many, including those who last saw him just weeks before the alleged attack.
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