Feds bust LGBT podcaster, former Christian reality TV star for alleged threats to kill Trump
Federal agents in Los Angeles arrested LGBT podcaster and former Christian reality TV host Benjamin Azariah Southworth, 40, on Thursday over alleged threats to kill President Donald Trump. A grand jury indicted him on charges including cyberstalking, making harassing interstate calls and threatening the president, with prosecutors alleging he also ran a harassment campaign against the family of one of Trump's personal lawyers, including publishing their home address and phone number.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Southworth posted videos calling for Trump's assassination and left voicemails threatening "justice comes to your door." Court documents cited by the New York Post allege that in an Instagram video posted on 7 April 2026, Southworth said "Kill Donald Trump," and he reportedly shouted claims about Trump being a "pedophile" while being arrested. Southworth previously hosted the Christian reality show "The Remix" in the late 2000s before coming out as gay in 2008, and later launched the podcast "Yass, Jesus!" with actor Daniel Franzese. The White House condemned the alleged threats, and Southworth could not be reached for comment.
In short
- Podcaster Benjamin Southworth, 40, indicted over alleged Trump death threats
- Also accused of doxxing family of Trump's personal attorney
- Former Christian TV host turned LGBT podcaster faces federal charges
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The strongest case for prosecution is that explicit calls to kill a president, if proved, go beyond political criticism and can pose a serious threat to public safety and democratic government. Alleged stalking, threatening messages and publication of a family’s home address could also endanger private individuals, so applying the law would protect them while allowing Southworth to contest the charges in court.
The case against
The strongest case for caution is that an indictment contains allegations, not findings of guilt, and Southworth is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair trial. The government must prove that his words and conduct meet the legal definitions of the charged offences; forceful or offensive political speech alone should not be treated as a crime, and reporting should avoid implying guilt before the evidence is tested.
Explained simply
Donald Trump is the US president, and threats against a president can be prosecuted under federal law. Federal prosecutors bring cases on behalf of the US government; a grand jury indictment formally accuses someone of crimes, but does not establish guilt.
Benjamin Azariah Southworth is a podcaster who previously appeared on the Christian reality show The Remix and later co-hosted Yass, Jesus! with actor Daniel Franzese. Prosecutors say the case also involves alleged online harassment of a lawyer’s family, including sharing their contact details.
The case matters because it involves allegations of political threats and online harassment, and raises questions about how such conduct is handled under federal law. Southworth is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in court.