Brian Johnson, the controversial fitness influencer known as “Liver King,” has been arrested after allegedly making a terroristic threat against podcaster Joe Rogan. The 47-year-old, famous for his raw meat diet and intense fitness persona, now faces a serious legal charge following an Instagram rant where he challenged Rogan to a fight.
The Instagram Rant That Led to the Arrest
On Monday, Johnson posted a video on Instagram where he donned a wolf pelt and called out Rogan for a fight. In the video, he introduced himself as “Liver King” 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… I’ll come to you, whenever you’re ready.”
This unhinged challenge was reportedly deemed a terroristic threat by the Austin Police Department. Johnson’s post escalated when he mentioned that he would travel to Austin, Texas, where Rogan is based, sparking further concern from authorities.
The Investigation and Arrest
After the Instagram post went viral, the Austin Police Department was notified of the potential threat. They then contacted Joe Rogan, who reportedly told detectives that he had never interacted with Johnson and considered the post to be threatening.
Following this, the police obtained an arrest warrant for Johnson. They found him at the Four Seasons Hotel on San Jacinto Boulevard and arrested him at approximately 5:59 p.m. on Tuesday.
Footage posted by Johnson on Instagram shows him being taken into custody, handcuffed, and placed in the back of a patrol car, with his wife, Bozena “Barbara” Johnson, looking on.
Joe Rogan’s Relationship with Liver King
Joe Rogan, who has built a massive podcasting empire, has never hosted Liver King on his show, although he has publicly criticized Johnson’s use of steroids. Johnson, on the other hand, rose to fame by promoting an “ancestral” diet and intense physical training.
His diet includes animal organs, raw bull testicles, and fertilized chicken eggs — all in the name of building a powerful physique.
Despite his rise to fame and a reported $100 million fitness empire, Johnson’s credibility took a major hit when leaked emails revealed he had been using steroids and human growth hormones, with costs totaling $11,000 per month. This revelation contradicted his claims of achieving his physique naturally.
In the wake of this scandal, Johnson posted a public apology on his YouTube channel, and his company, Ancestral Supplements LLC, faced multiple class-action lawsuits. These lawsuits accuse Johnson of deceptive marketing and promoting dangerous behaviors.
Liver King’s arrest for making a terroristic threat against Joe Rogan adds to the long list of controversies surrounding him. From his raw meat diet to his steroid use, Johnson has been a divisive figure in the fitness world.
His arrest highlights the ongoing issues that arise when influencers use social media to make bold and potentially harmful statements. As the investigation continues, the fitness world and fans alike will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds.
