Democrat candidate exposed for profane rant during arrest

Recently surfaced body camera footage shows a Democrat candidate running for governor of South Carolina threatening public officials and shouting profanities while in the back of a police patrol car following his arrest earlier this year. The footage has led to calls for the Democrat candidate to drop out of the race.

A video shared on X, formerly Twitter, shows Democrat William McLeod, an attorney running in the South Carolina gubernatorial election, partially naked while sitting in the back of a police car. Fox News reported that the Democrat candidate threatened public officials during a roughly 35-minute rant filled with numerous profanities after being charged by the Charleston Police Department for disorderly conduct on May 14. 

According to Fox News, the body camera video of McLeod, who was reportedly only dressed in underwear and shoes at the time of his arrest, has resurfaced after the attorney announced that he would be running for governor.

In the video, a police officer can be heard asking McLeod to reveal his name. In response, McLeod said, “I tell you what. You’ve got to give me a name? Superman sounds good. I’m Superman.”

After the police officer suggested the name John Doe, McLeod said, “You know what? John Doe’s fine. John Doe’s fine. I don’t give a f-ck. Just get these shackles off of me, you call me whatever you want to. I don’t care. Just get this sh-t off, get me out of this car, my name doesn’t matter.”

https://x.com/wachfox/status/1955769834093875214

Fox News reported that the Democrat candidate later told the police officer, “I don’t care what you call me, call me God. You think I give a f-ck?”

McLeod also threatened public officials, such as Attorney General Alan Wilson (R-S.C.), who is also running for governor, according to Fox News. In an apparent threat to Wilson, McLeod said, “I’m gonna kick your f-cking teeth in.”

Citing police officials, Fox News said McLeod was sweating heavily during his long rant and that his eyes were “extremely bloodshot and highly dilated.” Police officials attributed McLeod’s behavior to the “influence of a stimulant narcotic.”

According to Fox News, police officials also confirmed that McLeod “lashed out and kicked another prisoner” while going through the intake process in May. The outlet noted that the Democrat candidate’s lawyer claimed that McLeod’s conduct was due to exhaustion and a mental health episode.

In a Wednesday statement obtained by Fox News, South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain said, “After reviewing the transcript of the dashcam footage from his recent arrest, it is clear that Mr. McLeod is navigating profound challenges and should focus on his mental and emotional well-being instead of a campaign for governor. We offer him compassion and pray he finds the support he needs.”