Liver King Taken Into Custody for Threatening Joe Rogan in Bizarre Video Challenge
Brian Johnson, better known to many online as the “Liver King,” has been arrested in Austin, Texas after posting a video that led to a criminal charge. Police say he threatened Joe Rogan, the well-known podcast host and UFC commentator, in a recent Instagram post.
In the video, Johnson appears to directly call out Rogan, saying he wants to fight him. “Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out,” he says. “Man to man, I’m picking a fight with you… your rules, I’ll come to you, whenever you’re ready.” He also admits in the video that he has no formal training in jiu-jitsu, while Rogan is a black belt. Johnson is seen wearing what looks like a wolf’s head in the clip.
This post raised concerns with local law enforcement. According to KXAN, detectives from the Austin Police Department got in touch with Rogan, who reportedly told them he had never spoken to Johnson before and felt the post came off as threatening. Soon after, police tracked down Johnson at a hotel in downtown Austin and arrested him.
Johnson was charged with making a terroristic threat, which is a misdemeanor in Texas. He was taken into custody Tuesday evening and booked a short time later. His bail was set at $20,000.
Johnson became famous on social media for promoting an extreme fitness lifestyle based on “ancestral” living. His content often included eating raw animal organs and promoting natural strength-building. He quickly grew a large fanbase, with nearly 3 million followers on Instagram. But in 2022, leaked emails showed he had been using steroids and other substances, even though he had claimed for years that his physique came from clean living.
After the emails surfaced, Johnson admitted he had not been truthful.
Right now, the investigation into this incident is still active. Neither Johnson nor Rogan has made any public statements since the arrest, and it’s unclear how this case will move forward legally.
In my view, this is a clear example of how online behavior can have real-world consequences. Social media might feel like a place where anything goes, but when public figures start making direct challenges or threats, especially to someone as visible as Joe Rogan, authorities are going to take it seriously. Whether Johnson meant it as a stunt or something more serious, the fallout is real.
What do you think? Did Johnson go too far, or was this blown out of proportion? Let us know in the comments below.