Liver King Arrested for Terroristic Threat After Calling Out Joe Rogan in Wild Online Challenge
Brian Johnson, widely known online as the “Liver King,” has been arrested in Austin, Texas after allegedly threatening podcast host and UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The arrest came just one day after Johnson shared a video online challenging Rogan to a fight.
In the Instagram clip, Johnson looked directly into the camera wearing what seemed to be a wolf’s head on top of his own and said, “Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out, my name’s ‘Liver King.’ Man to man, I’m picking a fight with you. I have no training in Jiu-jitsu; you’re a black belt, you should dismantle me. But I’m picking a fight with you. Your rules, I’ll come to you, whenever you’re ready.”
The video raised red flags. According to Austin news outlet KXAN, detectives from the Austin Police Department reached out to Rogan after seeing the post. Rogan reportedly told police that he had never had any personal contact with Johnson and that he felt the video was threatening.
That was enough for the authorities to take action. On Tuesday evening, officers found Johnson at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Austin. He was taken into custody around 6 p.m. and booked about 90 minutes later. He was charged with making a terroristic threat, which under Texas law is a class B misdemeanor. His bond was set at $20,000.
Johnson became popular online for his extreme fitness lifestyle and unusual diet, which includes eating raw meat and animal organs. He built his brand around “ancestral living” and quickly gained a massive following. He now has nearly 3 million followers on Instagram.
But his image took a hit in 2022 when leaked emails revealed that he had been using steroids and human growth hormone, despite repeatedly claiming he was all-natural. The news caused backlash, and Johnson later admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs.
Right now, the case is still under investigation, according to the Austin Police Department. Johnson has not made any public statements since his arrest, and Rogan has not commented beyond what was shared with investigators.
This whole situation shows how social media stunts can quickly cross a line. What might start as a bold callout or a way to grab attention can turn into serious legal trouble. Making threats, especially against high-profile people, can bring real-world consequences, even if the intent was to stir up online drama.
What do you think about Johnson’s actions and this arrest? Was it just a stunt gone too far or something more serious? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
