Social media personality Brian Johnson, widely known online as “Liver King” for promoting a carnivorous, “ancestral” lifestyle, was arrested in Austin, Texas, this week. The arrest stems from allegations that Johnson made terroristic threats against prominent podcaster Joe Rogan.
Johnson, 47, whose online persona involves consuming raw organs and extreme fitness feats, was booked into the Travis County Jail on Tuesday. He faces one count of misdemeanor terroristic threat, according to local law enforcement.
How the Situation Unfolded
According to statements from the Austin Police Department (APD), detectives were alerted early Tuesday morning about concerning posts Johnson was making on his Instagram profile targeting Joe Rogan. As investigators reviewed these posts, they noted that Johnson was actively traveling to Austin – where Rogan resides – while continuing to make threatening statements online.
Authorities subsequently contacted Joe Rogan. Rogan reportedly informed detectives that he had no prior interactions with Liver King and confirmed that he felt threatened by the influencer’s online activity. Based on Rogan’s statement and the nature of the posts, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Johnson on the terroristic threat charge.
Online Challenges Lead to Arrest
The incident appears to have escalated following a series of bizarre and aggressive videos Johnson posted on his Instagram account over several days leading up to his arrest. On Monday, Johnson shared a video of himself bear-crawling while issuing a direct challenge to Rogan.
“Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out, my name’s Liver King. Man to man, I’m picking a fight with you,” Johnson declared in one video. He acknowledged Rogan’s skill as a Jiu-jitsu black belt, stating, “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.” Other posts included ramblings about his weight, the stakes of the potential confrontation, and a perceived “real tension” with the podcaster. Some posts continued even after he arrived in Austin, including one reportedly filmed while he was in a shower. A particularly jarring quote attributed to one of his online rants was, “Guess what? You’re dead, b. You’re dead. You’re dead. Welcome to Texas.”
Johnson continued to document his actions online, posting multiple videos leading up to his arrest at a downtown Austin hotel. These clips reportedly showed him getting dressed in a sweatsuit featuring a design pitting his brand logo against the “Joe Rogan Experience” logo, picking up various items including a screwdriver and multi-tool while instructing someone off-camera to keep recording, and even praying with his family in the hotel room.
Custody and Legal Status
Austin police located Johnson at the Four Seasons Hotel and took him into custody without incident around 5:59 p.m. on Tuesday. Videos posted from Johnson’s own account reportedly captured moments like him being escorted down a hallway, placed in handcuffs, and secured in the back seat of a police vehicle or pickup truck outside the hotel. One clip showed a person off-camera explaining to Johnson’s wife that he would need to see a judge before being released.
Liver King was transported to the Travis County Jail following his arrest. The charge, a Class B misdemeanor in Texas, carries potential penalties of up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000 upon conviction. His surety-bail bond has been set at $20,000.
The Austin Police Department has stated that the investigation into the incident remains active. Representatives for both Brian Johnson and Joe Rogan did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the arrest.
Background Context: Liver King and Rogan’s Public History
This public confrontation follows a previous notable interaction between the two figures. In 2022, Joe Rogan was among those who publicly accused Liver King of using steroids to achieve his muscular physique, questioning the authenticity of his “ancestral” claims. Later that year, Johnson publicly admitted to using anabolic steroids, revealing a regimen that he claimed cost upwards of $11,000 per month. He subsequently stated that the “Liver King” persona was largely an “experiment to spread the message” and that his steroid use was “monitored and managed by a trained hormone clinician.” The recent events mark a dramatic and legally significant escalation in their public dynamic.
