Brian “Liver King” Johnson, a social media influencer known for promoting an “ancestral lifestyle,” was arrested in Austin on June 24 after posting a series of bizarre videos threatening podcast host Joe Rogan. The Austin Police Department confirmed Johnson faces a Class B misdemeanor charge for making a terroristic threat, specifically targeting Rogan.
Police stated that detectives reviewed Johnson’s Instagram videos, which showed him traveling to Austin while making escalating threats. Joe Rogan informed authorities that he had no prior interaction with Johnson but considered the posts threatening, prompting detectives to secure an arrest warrant.
In the videos, a shirtless and dancing Johnson declared, “Joe Rogan, I’m picking a fight with you! … I’ll come to you, whenever you’re ready to go.” In another message, Johnson issued a man-to-man challenge to Rogan, speaking about fighting for his family and referencing Rogan’s black belt in martial arts. Johnson warned, “Shame on you, I’m going to make you pay … I’m going to fight, and I’m not going to stop,” before chasing a cockroach in one video.
The contentious history between Johnson and Rogan dates back to Rogan mocking Johnson on his podcast over Johnson’s claims that his muscular physique was the result of a steroid-free “ancestral lifestyle.” This was later debunked in 2022 when leaked emails revealed Johnson spent $11,000 monthly on steroids and human growth hormone. Their feud was highlighted in Netflix’s documentary Untold: The Liver King, which detailed Johnson’s rise and fall. Johnson has partly blamed Rogan for the damage to his supplement business.
Adding to the controversy, Austin-based podcaster Alex Jones publicly commented on Johnson’s arrest, suggesting mental health issues and stating Johnson was arrested for “traveling to Austin to attack Joe Rogan.”
One of Johnson’s threatening videos has since been removed from Instagram but circulated widely on social media.
Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com
