The U.S. Marine Corps has publicly criticized Florida congressional candidate William Upham after he posted a video on social media calling for the death of President Donald Trump. The remarks quickly attracted widespread condemnation, prompting the Corps to distance itself from the discharged Marine.
The Corps confirmed Upham was medically discharged on May 30, 2025, and emphasized that his statements do not align with Marine values. In a statement on X, the Corps expressed awareness of the comments and underscored that they violate Upham’s oath and the service’s principles.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao also addressed the issue on X, declaring Upham’s behavior as unacceptable and stating that Upham no longer represents Marine values or ethos. Newsweek contacted both the White House and Marine Corps for further comment.
Upham’s Controversial Video
In a video uploaded to X, Upham claimed he joined the race to office to challenge Washington insiders and improve the political system. He criticized both Democrats and Republicans, asserting the need for action against evil forces.
Upham declared his belief that Donald Trump is the anti-Christ, urging that he must be killed. He cited Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV and an AI-generated image depicting Trump in a Jesus-like manner as factors shaping his views. Upham concluded with assertions of divine triumph over evil.
Political Impact
Upham is a qualified write-in candidate for the United States Representative District 5 race in Florida, currently held by Republican John Rutherford. The district includes parts of Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, and St. Augustine.
This incident arises during ongoing concerns about heated political rhetoric in the United States. Officials from both parties have warned that language appearing to incite or justify violence heightens risks.
Threats or advocacy of violence against officials frequently attract scrutiny from federal law enforcement, especially when directed at the president. President Trump has previously faced threats, including an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and shots fired at a White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Assassinations of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman last year further highlight the dangerous climate. This story is evolving and will be updated with new information.