A 22-year-old Southern California man is confronting serious federal charges after authorities say he posted online threats of violence at Disneyland during a visit by Vice President JD Vance and his family last summer.
Alarming Social Media Threats
According to a federal complaint, Marco Antonio Aguayo left a series of disturbing comments on Disney's official Instagram page on the evening of July 12, 2025. This was the same day Vice President Vance's highly publicized trip to the Anaheim theme park occurred. The complaint, first highlighted by Court Watch, details the specific posts.
The first comment allegedly stated, "Pipe bombs have been placed in preparation for J.D. Vance’s arrival." This was followed by another saying, "It’s time for us to rise up and you will be a witness to it." A third comment escalated further, warning, "Good luck finding all of them on time there will be bloodshed tonight and we will bathe in the blood of corrupt politicians."
Investigation and Arrest
Law enforcement identified Aguayo through cooperation with Meta, Instagram's parent company. Investigators then used California Department of Motor Vehicle records alongside data from his internet provider, T-Mobile USA, to locate his home address.
When initially questioned by the Secret Service, Aguayo reportedly denied any knowledge of the threatening posts and claimed his accounts had been hacked. However, under further interrogation, he admitted to authoring the comments. Aguayo allegedly maintained that the statements were intended as a "joke to provoke attention and laughter."
Aguayo was arrested on January 16 and formally charged with making a threat against the president and successors to the presidency, as announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
Political Context and Reactions
Vice President Vance's Disneyland excursion last July was not without controversy. It inspired several protests near the park and outside the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, where the family was rumored to be staying. The visit also drew political jabs from California Governor Gavin Newsom's press team.
In a statement on social media, the press office mocked the former Ohio senator for vacationing in a state often criticized by right-wing figures, posting: "Tired: trashing California for political purposes. Wired: visiting & vacationing in California more than your home state this year."
In the official press release regarding Aguayo's charges, Attorney General Pam Bondi called the case "a horrific reminder of the dangers public officials face from deranged criminals who would do them harm" and promised "swift justice." The case underscores the serious resources deployed to investigate threats against high-ranking government officials, regardless of the alleged perpetrator's claimed intent.
