Bodybuilder 'Liver King' Threatens Joe Rogan, Gets Arrested
Brian Johnson, better known to his millions of followers as the "Liver King," has made a name for himself by promoting a primal lifestyle of raw meats, outrageous workouts, and ancestral living. But this week, the self-styled fitness guru swapped his wolf pelt for handcuffs after allegedly threatening podcaster Joe Rogan online. Now, he's facing criminal charges in Texas.
The Call-Out Heard Around the Internet
In a string of Instagram videos posted on June 23, Johnson directly challenged Rogan to a fight, calling him out in increasingly aggressive language. Dressed in a wolf pelt, Johnson said, according to PEOPLE, "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."
In another video, Johnson escalated his rhetoric, saying, according to NBC News, "You never come across something like this, willing to die, hoping that you'll choke me out because that's a dream come true."
These videos set off alarm bells for authorities, especially after learning Johnson was on his way to Austin — where Rogan lives.
Police Step In
On June 24, Austin police were alerted to Johnson's movements. Detectives reached out to Rogan, who confirmed he had never interacted with Johnson and found the videos threatening. Officers quickly obtained an arrest warrant and located Johnson at the Four Seasons Hotel on San Jacinto Boulevard. By 6 p.m., he was in handcuffs and charged with making a terroristic threat, a class B misdemeanor.
Footage posted to Johnson's Instagram later showed the influencer clad in a tactical vest, being led away by police as his wife, Bozena "Barbara" Johnson, looked on.
A History of Controversy
Johnson, 47, has built an online empire preaching what he calls an "ancestral lifestyle," according to NBC News. This includes a raw meat-heavy diet featuring animal organs, fertilized eggs, and even raw bull testicles. He claimed these habits, along with intense workouts and limited supplements, earned him his massive physique.
His platform skyrocketed in popularity and reportedly brought in $100 million through his supplement brand, Ancestral Supplements LLC.
But the image of natural fitness took a major hit in 2022 when leaked emails revealed Johnson was spending $11,000 a month on steroids and human growth hormones, according to Time, Rolling Stone, and Bloomberg.
Despite a YouTube apology, lawsuits followed. Johnson and his company were named in multiple class-action lawsuits accusing them of deceptive marketing and promoting unsafe practices.
The Rogan Factor
Though Johnson has never appeared on "The Joe Rogan Experience," his antics haven't gone unnoticed by the host. Rogan previously used his platform to call out Johnson for his steroid use. One 2023 episode discussing the influencer has racked up more than 8.7 million views on YouTube.
Whether that public criticism motivated Johnson's online outburst remains unclear. What is clear is that authorities took his threats seriously.
At the time of publication, neither Rogan nor Johnson had commented publicly on the arrest.
From Viral Videos to Legal Trouble
In an era where influencers routinely push boundaries for views, Johnson's actions stand out — and not in a good way. What began as performative bravado on social media escalated into a real-world legal issue. It's a cautionary tale about where online personas end and personal accountability begins.
Johnson now faces a class B misdemeanor charge that could carry jail time and a fine if convicted. And while his videos still attract millions of views, it remains to be seen if his followers will stand by him as the court system weighs in.
References: Bodybuilding Influencer 'Liver King' Allegedly Threatened Joe Rogan — Now He's Facing Charges | 'Liver King' influencer arrested in Texas after threatening Joe Rogan
