LGBT-affirming 'cult kid' podcaster arrested for threats against Pres. Trump

Benjamin Azariah Southworth hosted 'Yass Jesus' podcast, sold anti-Trump merch online

By Ian M. Giatti, Christian Post Reporter Friday, September 04, 2026

A former host of an LGBT-affirming podcast was arrested Thursday on a three-count federal grand jury indictment charging him with threatening to kill President Donald Trump.

Benjamin Azariah Southworth, 40, a resident of the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles and one-time co-host of the “Yass, Jesus” podcast, is charged with one count of threats against the president, one count of cyberstalking, and one count of harassing telephone calls in interstate communications, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California.

According to the indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Wednesday, Southworth used social media accounts on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok as well as a website from January through May to publicly express his hatred toward Trump and his supporters. Southworth allegedly used these platforms to “publicly engage in and encourage the abuse and harassment of the president and to threaten violence against the president.”

On or around March 31, prosecutors allege Southworth posted a video on his now-deactivated Holy Menace Instagram account referencing that day's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Colorado's ban on therapy for youth struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction violated the First Amendment, saying: "Since the Supreme Court has ruled today that psychological, spiritual, emotional and physical torture known as gay conversion therapy is free speech, I want to practice my free speech as a survivor of conversion therapy for five years. Kill Donald Trump," according to KTLA. Several days later, Southworth allegedly posted a second video depicting himself standing behind Trump in the Oval Office and raising a knife as if to stab him.

Prosecutors say Southworth posted a video on his Instagram account on April 7 that contained a series of threats against Trump, including, “I have been vocal in calling for the execution of Donald Trump” and “This government is illegitimate and out of control. It’s time for course correction. Kill Donald Trump.”

Three months prior, Southworth allegedly posted on his TikTok account the home address of "Victim 1," an attorney who had been Trump's personal lawyer, along with a photograph of Victim 1 and another of his residences. FBI Director Kash Patel publicly identified Victim 1 as Jay Sekulow in a statement announcing the arrest, according to NBC News. In the same post, prosecutors say Southworth stated, "No peace for traitors."

Over the first half of this year, Southworth left a series of abusive messages online and over voicemail to Victim 2, who is Victim 1's son, and made harassing telephone calls to Victim 3, who is Victim 1's wife, according to prosecutors. Southworth also allegedly posted "IF AT FIRST YOU FAIL TRY AGAIN" on a livestream involving Victim 2, two days after a separate armed individual stormed the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, according to the Jefferson City News-Tribune.

“As threats against President Trump’s life escalate, the Department of Justice will respond with the full force of the law,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “We will hold perpetrators of violent threats accountable, and anyone who makes these threats online will not be allowed to hide behind their screens.”

“There is zero tolerance for political violence, especially for threats directed at the President,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Threatening an elected official with violence is a serious offense, and you will be arrested and charged, as Mr. Southworth found out this morning.”

If convicted, Southworth would face a maximum sentence of up to 12 years in federal prison.

Southworth is the former co-host for "Yass, Jesus!," an interfaith and sexuality-affirming comedy podcast that believes "you don't have to pick between gay and God." He also previously hosted "The Remix," a syndicated Christian youth reality and music television show. Southworth, an Indiana native, came out as gay in 2008 and was named one of Instinct Magazine's "Leading Men" that year, according to KTLA.

He’s also listed on the website for Holy Menace, which sells anti-Trump merchandise — including “Kill Trump” stickers — along with a T-shirt that reads “Cult Kid” with a logo featuring a bloody cross. A description for the item reads: “Blood moons. Testamints (sp). Teen Mania. If any of these bring back memories, you’re a cult kid. This shirt is for the ones that got away, survived, and now thrive - free of control and manipulation.” 

The Holy Menace “About” page includes a bio that claims Southworth “designs every Holy Menace sticker and hand‑screen‑printed shirt” and “uses his platform to challenge Christian nationalism, anti‑[LGBT] bigotry, and Zionism.”