Fitness Influencer Liver King Arrested for Threatening Joe Rogan in Austin

Social Media Challenge Turns Criminal

Brian Johnson, the controversial fitness influencer known as "Liver King," found himself in handcuffs at Austin's Four Seasons Hotel this week after posting multiple videos to Instagram challenging Rogan to fights . The 47-year-old social media personality with nearly 3 million Instagram followers was charged with terroristic threat, a class B misdemeanor that could result in up to 180 days in prison and a $2,000 fine.

The arrest followed a series of increasingly aggressive Instagram posts where Johnson, appearing shirtless, wearing an animal-fur headdress and holding what appear to be two short-barrel AR-15-style rifles plated in gold , directly challenged the popular podcaster. "Joe Rogan, I'm calling you out, my name's Liver King. Man to man, I'm picking a fight with you," Johnson said in a video he posted Monday. "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."

What made the situation particularly concerning for authorities was Johnson's escalating rhetoric. "You never come across something like this, willing to die, hoping that you'll choke me out because that's a dream come true," Johnson said in another post. Detectives reviewed the posts and observed that Johnson was traveling to Austin while continuing to make threatening statements. Detectives contacted Mr. Rogan, who stated he had never had any interaction with Johnson and considered the posts to be threatening .

From Raw Meat Fame to Legal Troubles

Johnson built his online empire promoting an "ancestral lifestyle" centered around consuming raw organs and meat, particularly liver, which earned him his moniker. With 6.1 million TikTok followers, nearly 3 million Instagram followers and more than 1 million subscribers on YouTube, Johnson is known for his "ancestral lifestyle." His diet consists of large amounts of raw organs and meat, including liver . However, his credibility took a massive hit in 2022 when he admitted to extensive steroid use after initially denying it.

Rogan was one of numerous critics who repeatedly accused Johnson of using steroids — claims which Johnson adamantly denied until admitting to his steroid use in 2022, some of which he said cost upward of $11,000 per month . This public exposure of his deception appears to have fueled Johnson's animosity toward the podcaster. Rogan discussed Johnson on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, calling out his steroid use and saying he would never be on the podcast .

The timing of Johnson's arrest coincides with renewed scrutiny following the documentary film "Untold: The Liver King" on Netflix. The description of Netflix's "Untold: The Liver King" documentary, released in May, reads as follows: "The Liver King built an online fitness empire by devouring raw meat and promoting an all-natural ancestral lifestyle, with the muscles to back it up" , further exposing the contradictions in his public persona.

Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation

Brian Johnson, the influencer who calls himself the "Liver King," was released from a county jail in Texas after posting $20,000 bond following his arrest for making a terroristic threat against podcaster Joe Rogan . The 47-year-old is out on bond, with conditions including an ankle monitor and a mental health evaluation . Despite these restrictions, Johnson has continued posting on social media, seemingly undeterred by his legal troubles.

The case highlights growing concerns about social media influencers crossing legal boundaries in pursuit of attention and engagement. In February, 35-year-old Clayton Michael Joseph of Katy was arrested after police said he made online threats of "mass violence" at the Rogan-owned Comedy Mothership , suggesting this isn't an isolated incident involving threats against the popular podcaster.

As Johnson awaits his court date, this incident serves as a stark reminder that social media fame doesn't provide immunity from real-world consequences. The influencer economy's emphasis on viral content and shocking behavior can quickly spiral into criminal territory, transforming online personas into legal liabilities. For Johnson, whose brand was built on extreme behavior and controversial claims, this arrest may represent the ultimate collision between digital performance and legal reality.