Brian Johnson, better known as the “Liver King,” was taken into custody in Austin on June 24 following a series of aggressive Instagram posts in which he challenged podcaster Joe Rogan to a physical fight. Johnson, 47, allegedly recorded videos declaring “man-to-man” confrontations and traveled to Rogan’s hometown while continuing the provocative messaging.
Austin police, alarmed by the content and Johnson’s movement toward the city, obtained a warrant and arrested him without incident at a hotel. He has been charged with making a terroristic threat, classified as a Class B misdemeanor, and is currently held on a $20,000 bond. Officers confirmed that Rogan, who has never met Johnson, considered the posts threatening.
Johnson first rose to fame promoting a raw meat, ancestral lifestyle and gained a substantial online following. However, his reputation took a hit in 2022 after leaked emails revealed he had secretly used steroids and growth hormones, contradicting his previous claims of natural strength. Legal actions over deceptive marketing followed, but none were as dramatic as this week’s arrest.