Overview
- William Upham, a medically discharged Marine and write-in candidate in Florida’s 5th District, posted a nearly seven-minute video on X Tuesday that called President Trump the “Antichrist” and said he “must be killed.”
- The U.S. Marine Corps publicly disavowed Upham’s remarks and noted he was medically discharged on May 30, 2025, and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao called the comments unacceptable.
- Upham appeared in Marine dress uniform in the video and framed his campaign in religious terms while urging action against what he described as evil within the country.
- News outlets report there are no public criminal charges or signs that Upham has suspended his write-in campaign and the seat remains rated a solid Republican by the Cook Political Report.
- The case highlights legal and policy questions about speech by retired service members, the role of military identity in politics, and the way social platforms can amplify violent rhetoric that raises security and political risks for campaigns and communities.