New York actress Laura Benanti revealed that she was forced to move homes after she said MAGA supporters doxed her following her impersonation of Melania Trump.
Laura Benanti is widely recognized for portraying Melania Trump in a recurring series of satirical sketches on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She first debuted the impression in 2016 following Melania Trump’s Republican National Convention speech and has reprised the role numerous times over the years, including several appearances in 2026. Benanti’s portrayal has often featured comedic takes on political events and public appearances, making it one of the most recognizable celebrity impressions associated with the first lady.
While appearing on The Downside podcast, Benanti was asked whether she had received hateful comments over her Melania Trump impersonation. In response, she revealed that the backlash went beyond online criticism. “I had to literally move,” she said before explaining that someone had doxed her.
Benanti described the person she said was responsible for the doxxing as a “right wing psychopath.” She alleged that he sent an email to his MAGA followers encouraging them to “let her know what you think of her.” According to Benanti, the email also included her home address. She said that, afterward, someone photographed her while she was walking her daughter to school.
The actress also explained how she first learned about the alleged doxxing. According to Benanti, a television production had hired a driver for her who happened to be “a big MAGA guy.” She said he subscribed to the newsletter that allegedly published her address and received the email himself. Benanti recalled that the driver was disturbed by what he saw and texted her to warn her about it. She added that, because of the incident, her family left their apartment and moved into a rental home, a decision she said was prompted by the backlash surrounding her Melania Trump impersonations.
Viewers React to New York Actress Getting Doxed
Many viewers sympathized with the New York actress over her account of being doxed. They said that, if the allegations are accurate, such behavior is unacceptable. Some commenters also criticized supporters of the MAGA movement. “It’s a cult,” one person wrote. Another commented, “These same people will loudly call themselves the defenders of free speech btw.”
More people sympathized with Benanti as they commented on her talent as an actress. “I love her from later seasons of Nurse Jackie (prob very unpopular opinion) but that is insane yet very typical behavior for people that are all about free speech,” one person wrote. Another person condemned what happened. “Some ppl shouldn’t be allowed to have access to the internet it’s ok to not like someone but to doxx, send death threats and bully it has to stop. I feel like we are getting worse as a society,” they said.
Benanti’s comments sparked a conversation about the dangers of doxxing. This is along with the impact it can have on people targeted over their political views, opinions, or professional work. It also led to broader discussions about how getting doxed can disrupt someone’s life and create safety concerns. This is particularly for those who are unable to relocate or take additional security measures.
