Transgender Activist Arrested for Threatening to Kill President Trump

Phillip Wharton, who goes by 'Sadie Online,' faces up to 10 years in prison for social media posts threatening the president's life.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 20-year-old transgender activist in the Seattle area named Phillip Wharton, who goes by the name 'Sadie Online,' has been indicted on two counts of threatening a federal official after making social media posts saying he would kill President Trump and wear his face as a mask.

Why it matters

Threats against the president are taken extremely seriously by law enforcement, and this case highlights ongoing concerns about the rise of extremism and violence, particularly from marginalized groups, toward political figures.

The details

According to the indictment, Wharton made two threatening social media posts - one in August 2025 saying he would kill the president and wear his face as a mask, and another in September 2025 stating 'I am going to kill the president tomorrow.' The U.S. Secret Service was alerted to the threats and was able to link the Instagram and X accounts to Wharton, leading to his arrest in Everett, Washington.

  • On August 19, 2025, Wharton allegedly posted a threat on social media to kill the president and wear his face as a mask.
  • On September 23, 2025, Wharton allegedly posted on social media that he would kill the president the next day.

The players

Phillip Wharton

A 20-year-old transgender activist in the Seattle area who goes by the name 'Sadie Online' and was indicted on two counts of threatening a federal official.

U.S. Secret Service

The federal law enforcement agency that was alerted to Wharton's threatening social media posts and was able to link the accounts to him, leading to his arrest.

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What they’re saying

“What the guy in the White House sees after I kill the US PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN AND WEAR HIS FACE AS A MASK.”

— Phillip Wharton (Instagram)

“My name is Sadie Online. I am going to kill the president tomorrow. This is not a joke, but a confession admissible in a court of law.”

— Phillip Wharton (X)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow Wharton out on bail.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for continued vigilance against threats of political violence, especially from marginalized groups, and the importance of law enforcement taking such threats seriously to protect public safety and the stability of democratic institutions.