Feds bust LGBT podcaster, former Christian reality TV star for alleged threats to kill Trump
A prominent LGBT podcaster who formerly hosted a Christian reality television show was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles Thursday for allegedly threatening to kill President Donald Trump.
Benjamin Azariah Southworth, 40, was indicted by a grand jury on federal charges for cyberstalking, making harassing interstate calls and threatening to kill President Trump, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli announced on X.
He said that Southworth led a harassment campaign against the family of one of Trump's personal attorneys.
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"Southworth is charged with posting videos calling for President Trump’s assassination, then targeted the family of the President’s personal attorney by publishing their home address and phone numbers, and leaving voicemails threatening 'justice comes to your door," Essayli said.
The act of publicly revealing personal information of public officials and celebrities without their consent is known as "doxxing" and is usually done with the intent to harass, shame or cause harm.
"Threats against the President of the United States are federal crimes. We will not tolerate threats of political violence in the United States. My office will prosecute anyone who crosses that line to the fullest extent of the law," the U.S. attorney wrote in a statement on X.
On Southworth's website "Holy Menace," which is still live at time of publication, the podcaster sells $5 stickers that say "Kill Trump."
While being taken into custody by agents, Southworth yelled, "Donald Trump is a pedophile. The country has fallen!" according to the New York Post, which had a photographer present at the time of his arrest.
Court documents obtained by the publication allegedly state that on April 7, 2026, Southworth posted a video on his Instagram account that contained a series of threats against Trump.
"I have been vocal in calling for the execution of Donald Trump," he allegedly said. "This government is illegitimate and out of control. It’s time for course correction. Kill Donald Trump."
The documents allegedly include a myriad of other examples of Southworth making threatening comments against the president, but the papers are not publicly available.
"Anyone who engages in or endorses political violence or assassination culture must be condemned in the harshest terms possible," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital.
"They should also immediately seek psychiatric help to treat their severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has warped their brains and made them sick in the head."
In the late 2000s, Southworth hosted the Christian reality TV show "The Remix," which aired on some of the largest Christian networks in the country, including National Religious Broadcasters TV. The show featured Christian musicians and bands.
In 2008, Southworth came out as gay. He was subsequently the opening act for gay Christian singer Ray Boltz on the singer's nationwide tour in 2010.
In 2020, he started a podcast called "Yass, Jesus!'" which is described as "an interfaith and sexuality affirming comedy podcast that believes you don't have to pick between gay and God." He cohosts the show with "Mean Girls" actor Daniel Franzese, who is also gay.
Southworth could not be immediately reached for comment.