US Man Jailed for Threatening to Kill Trump and JD Vance Online

A 67-year-old Michigan man—who shares the same initials and middle name as US Vice President JD Vance—has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after issuing violent threats to kill President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The case has drawn national attention due to the unusual name similarity and the seriousness of the threats targeting top US leaders.

James Donald “JD” Vance Jr., of Grand Rapids, used the online alias “Diaperjdv” to post graphic threats on the social media platform Bluesky earlier this year. Prosecutors said the messages were explicit, deliberate, and posed a real danger in an already polarized political climate.

Judge Calls Threats “Grievous Conduct”

US Attorney Timothy VerHey announced that Vance was sentenced by District Judge Paul L. Maloney, who said the threats represented “grievous conduct” and required imprisonment to deter others from using the internet to issue violent political threats.

The posts, made in March and April, were direct threats to assassinate national leaders if they visited his city.

In one post dated April 1, Vance wrote:
“If Trump, Vance, or Musk ever come to my city again, they will leave it in a body bag.”

He added that he expected to be killed by the Secret Service or spend the rest of his life in prison, stating he “didn’t care either way”.

Another post on March 7 targeted the president’s eldest son, declaring:
“I will murder that stupid f-ker before he gets secret service protection.”

Guilty Plea To Federal Felonies

Vance pleaded guilty to two federal offences:

• Threatening to kill or injure the President and Vice President

• Sending interstate threatening communications

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years and a $250,000 fine.

Prosecutors emphasized that Vance’s threats were not made in the heat of an argument but were repeated, calculated, and targeted at the highest levels of government.

“He Crossed A Line” — US Attorney

In a strong statement, VerHey said the internet should be a platform for debate—not intimidation.

“When Vance said he planned to kill our President and Vice President simply because he disagreed with them, he crossed a line we all understand,” VerHey said. “He had to be punished.”

Growing Trend of Threats Against Political Leaders

This case is not isolated. Only weeks earlier, another Michigan man—Richard James Spring—was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined for threatening to kill President Trump.

The rise in online threats against political figures has sparked concern among law enforcement, especially as the country heads into a tense election cycle.

Why This Case Matters Right Now

The sentencing comes at a time when security agencies are warning about heightened domestic threats, politically motivated violence, and online radicalization. The fact that the accused shared the same initials and middle name as the sitting Vice President added an unusual twist—confusing the public and drawing greater attention to the case.

Authorities say the punishment sends a strong message: online anonymity does not shield individuals from accountability, especially when national security is involved.