Former Marine's Controversial Remarks About Trump Spark Outrage

William Upham, a former US Marine running for Congress in Florida, has sparked outrage after labeling President Trump as the anti-Christ in a video. His inflammatory remarks have drawn condemnation from the Marine Corps and the acting Secretary of the Navy. Upham's comments, which suggest violence against Trump, have raised serious concerns about his views and the implications for his campaign. The Marine Corps has distanced itself from Upham, emphasizing that his statements violate the values of the service. This incident highlights the growing tensions in American politics and the extreme rhetoric that can emerge during election campaigns.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 15, 2026, 23:23 IST

Controversial Statements by William Upham

A former Marine, William Upham, who is campaigning as a write-in candidate for Florida's 5th Congressional District, has faced backlash after releasing a video in which he labeled President Donald Trump as "the anti-Christ" and suggested he "must be killed." Upham, who was medically discharged from the Marine Corps in May 2025, appeared in his military uniform during the nearly seven-minute clip. He stated, "I've reached a turning point in my campaign. I have come to understand that our nation is broken. We are governed by a president who is an enemy of God, and President Trump will not unite us as God intended."

Upham further asserted, "There is no doubt in my mind that Donald J. Trump is the anti-Christ. He is a false Messiah, and he is your enemy, and he must be killed." His comments were reportedly influenced by Trump's criticism of Pope Leo XIV and an AI-generated image shared by the president that portrayed him in a Christ-like manner.

pic.twitter.com/teiC4Yr1v6
— William Upham (@uphamforflorida) July 14, 2026

Upham continued, "He is nothing like Jesus Christ. President Trump is the anti-Christ and he will be killed and sent to hell. God will prevail against evil." However, he later seemed to soften his stance, stating, "Violence should never be used for evil purposes such as vengeance or plunder." He emphasized the need to defend against all enemies, including those within the country.

The US Marine Corps responded to Upham's statements on Tuesday, distancing itself from his remarks. They stated, "The Marine Corps is aware of the disturbing statements made by William Upham, who was medically discharged on May 30, 2025. The comments made by Upham are a direct violation of the oath he swore to uphold and are not in keeping with the service's values." Additionally, Hung Cao, the acting US Secretary of the Navy, condemned Upham's video, declaring on X, "Unacceptable. William Upham is no longer a Marine and does not represent our values or ethos."