Benjamin Song, a former Marine reservist turned activist, has been a controversial figure within armed leftist circles in Texas, drawing both support and criticism for his tactics and leadership style. Song’s military background, once a source of mystique, has been called into question amid his later activism.

Song enlisted in the Marine Corps reserves shortly after high school, serving as a supply clerk rather than in combat roles. Over five years, he participated sporadically in drills and community events such as Toys for Tots but was discharged with an other-than-honorable status in 2016 after reaching the rank of lance corporal. Song has given conflicting accounts of his departure, citing both downsizing and dissatisfaction with leadership. He did not complete college following his military service.

In 2020, Song reemerged as an activist during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin, where he carried a military-style rifle and a loaded semiautomatic pistol. According to court records, after an encounter with police, Song pointed his rifle at officers while retreating, leading to his arrest on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He spent two weeks in jail, was released on bond, but was ultimately not indicted due to insufficient evidence. His firearms were returned.

Song became an influential figure in the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club, an armed leftist group in North Texas. However, the group faced significant controversy after a 2023 incident in Fort Worth where a member pepper-sprayed protesters from the Christian Nationalist New Columbia Movement outside a drag event. Three members were arrested and charged with aggravated assault, but Song, who denied attending, was not criminally charged. He was, however, named in a civil lawsuit alleging multiple offenses, including assault and civil rights violations.

Critics within the activist community blamed Song for fostering an environment that enabled reckless actions like the Fort Worth incident. Former associates described him as lacking discipline and failing to establish clear rules for engagement, a departure from the group's prior defensive stance. The resulting legal pressures and concerns over exposure of membership led to the dissolution of the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club. Song was also doxxed and had his records subpoenaed but was eventually removed from the lawsuit due to insufficient evidence of his presence at the protest.

Following this period, Song rebranded under the alias Champagne and shifted his activities to Finn’s Place, an LGBTQ community center and organizing hub in Fort Worth. He adopted "any/all" pronouns, a move that some former allies dismissed as part of a broader pattern of self-presentation aimed at maintaining influence within changing activist demographics. Song gained renewed acceptance among younger, gender-fluid activists, even as many from the previous generation distanced themselves.

Song’s leadership style and tactics have been questioned within the broader Security Response Alliance (S.R.A.). The group, originally dominated by white male gun owners, evolved into a predominantly queer and female membership, with a “femme council” exerting significant influence. This shift contributed to the departure of many experienced trainers, including Song during his time as Bubble. As Champagne, however, he was seen by some remaining members as a key figure amid the group’s transformation.

Activists concerned about increasing anti-trans legislation in Texas and immigration enforcement in 2025 found in Song a proponent of tactical firearms training as a means of self-defense. Observers noted that his messaging appealed to marginalized and anxious individuals seeking empowerment amid growing fears of state repression.

Not all in the movement embraced armed confrontation. Zach Evetts, a former close associate of Song, withdrew from armed activism due to concerns about escalating violence and risks posed by confrontations with right-wing groups and law enforcement. Despite these reservations, Evetts maintained loyalty to Song and stayed involved in some organizing efforts.

Song has consistently urged his followers to prepare for multiple threats—from white supremacists to police violence—emphasizing the importance of arms training. While he refrains from outright endorsing violence, he has predicted that widespread civilian armament could enhance national safety, even making provocative statements about nuclear weapons in private discussions.

One of Song’s trainees, Seth Sikes, later recounted that Song spoke openly about using firearms to intimidate law enforcement, reflecting ongoing debates within activist circles over strategy and the limits of armed resistance in the current political climate.