Police have arrested Brian Johnson, better known as “Liver King,” in Austin, Texas, for comments he made on social media. Officials charged the fitness influencer with making terroristic threats against podcaster Joe Rogan on Instagram.
The arrest caught on camera
The incident began June 23, when Johnson posted an Instagram video of himself holding guns, addressing Rogan and challenging the podcaster to a fight.
“Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out,” Johnson said, adding, “ I have no training in Jiu-jitsu, you’re a black belt, you should dismantle me. But I’m picking a fight with you.”
KXAN-TV confirmed the arrest, which took place in Rogan’s hometown on Tuesday, June 24. Austin Police charged Johnson with one count of making a terroristic threat.
A video posted to Johnson’s Instagram shows police arresting Johnson at a hotel while a person recording the incident assures followers that Johnson will be bailed out.
It’s unclear why Johnson was at a hotel. In a 2022 YouTube video, he gave a tour of his home in Texas, though it’s not clear what part of the state he lived in or if he still resides there. The New York Post reports that Johnson traveled to Texas.
According to a statement provided by the Austin Police Department to KXAN-TV, “detectives contacted Mr. Rogan, who stated he had never had any interaction with Johnson and considered the posts to be threatening.”
Moments before the arrest, Johnson’s Instagram account featured a string of videos where he rants about Rogan.
“If I’m arrested, this container goes to the mothership,” he said in one video, referring to a box in his hotel room marked with the logo of Rogan’s podcast.
“Mothership” is likely referring to Rogan’s Comedy Mothership club in Austin. There was no context given as to what exactly the box contained other than it being a “collector’s piece,” but Johnson reiterated multiple times that the box should go to a specific man at Mothership, not to Rogan.
Who is ‘Liver King?’
Johnson rose to fame by promoting an “ancestral lifestyle” built around eating raw meat, daily workouts and selling supplements to his fan base, known as “Primals.”
His supplement empire grew rapidly, boosted by his intense online presence and controversial health claims. However, in 2022, leaked emails revealed he was secretly spending over $11,000 a month on steroids.
Despite preaching natural living, Johnson later admitted to steroid use.
Johnson was even hit with a $25 million class-action lawsuit for deceptive marketing of his supplements that same year. New York State Supreme Court records show it was voluntarily dismissed, with prejudice, in March 2023.
Johnson has blamed Rogan for his downfall following the podcaster’s repeated mockery of Johnson’s physique.
Followers voice concern
One user on X speculated that Johnson may be experiencing a psychotic break while “pounding methylene blue.”
Johnson lives by a list of “Ancestral Tenants” that he created. Under his “Evolve” tenant, he started incorporating methylene blue — a supplement he claimed improves oxygen flow and reduces inflammation.
While Harvard Health acknowledges the cobalt-blue synthetic dye has a history of medical applications, the only FDA-approved use of it is for the treatment of methemoglobinemia.
Another user posted, “The moment Liver King drank ayahuasca, he was gone,” adding, “You don’t do psychedelics to ‘find yourself.’ You do them to open a door. And sometimes, the thing that walks through… doesn’t leave.”
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic tea that contains dimethyltryptamine used in indigenous ceremonies. Many celebrities have taken part in it, from Aaron Rodgers to Will Smith.
DMT is known for triggering intense visions and what some call spiritual awakenings. According to Entertainment Weekly, Smith previously saw his career derail at an ayahuasca retreat before the slap that occurred at the 2022 Oscars.
In a video posted in March 2024, Johnson claims he “found ayahuasca.”
A Reddit commenter took a more blunt approach, writing, “Steroids, man… they f— you up,” in regards to Johnson’s legal troubles.
Still in custody?
As of Wednesday morning, June 25, it’s unclear if Johnson remains in jail. The charge he faces is a misdemeanor in the state of Texas. However, the story continues to develop.
