Fitness influencer Liver King’s arrest in Austin on June 24 for threatening Joe Rogan has sparked a firestorm of debate. Charged with a terroristic threat after wild Instagram videos, Brian Johnson’s clash with the podcast king raises questions about his motives and mental state. Here’s the full story behind this shocking drama and what it means for both men.
Liver King’s Arrest Shocks Fans
Brian Johnson, better known as Liver King, was arrested at Austin’s Four Seasons Hotel on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, charged with a Class B misdemeanor for making a terroristic threat. The 47-year-old influencer, famous for his raw-meat-eating “ancestral lifestyle,” posted a series of erratic Instagram videos challenging Joe Rogan to a “man-to-man” fight.
In one clip, shirtless and wearing a wolf’s head, he brandished what appeared to be gold-plated guns, saying, “Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out.” Austin police acted swiftly, detaining him after tracking his travel to Rogan’s hometown. I saw a clip of the arrest on social media last night—Johnson’s team filmed him in handcuffs, looking defiant as sirens wailed.
The Beef with Joe Rogan
The feud traces back to 2022, when Rogan publicly called out Johnson’s claim that his chiseled physique came from eating raw organs like liver and testicles. Leaked emails revealed Johnson spent $11,000 monthly on steroids, shattering his “all-natural” persona. A Netflix documentary, Untold: The Liver King, released May 13, 2025, detailed how Rogan’s comments tanked Johnson’s supplement empire.
Johnson’s recent videos suggest he blames Rogan for his downfall, with one rant claiming he’s “willing to die” to face the UFC commentator, despite admitting he has no jiu-jitsu training compared to Rogan’s black belt. A friend who follows fitness influencers told me Johnson’s posts felt unhinged, like he was spiraling after losing his credibility.
Rogan’s Response and Drug Allegations
Rogan told Austin police he’d never met Johnson and found the videos threatening, describing him as “significantly unstable.” He also mentioned hearing Johnson had a “significant drug issue,” though police haven’t confirmed this.
The claim adds fuel to speculation about Johnson’s behavior, especially after his steroid admission. Fans online are split—some mock Johnson’s mugshot, pointing to “scabs” on his face as evidence of drug use, while others argue the arrest over a fight challenge seems excessive. I’ve seen influencers push boundaries before, but Johnson’s stunts, like waving a screwdriver and multi-tool in videos, crossed a legal line.
What’s Next for Liver King?
Released on a $20,000 bond, Johnson faces a restraining order to stay 200 yards from Rogan and must undergo a mental health evaluation within seven days. Undeterred, he posted again on June 25, hinting at more videos and coyly referring to “someone whose name rhymes with blow.”
The ongoing saga, captured in his 2.9 million-follower Instagram feed, keeps the feud alive. Austin police are still investigating, but Johnson’s team insists his “experiment” as Liver King is about inspiring men, not violence. Yet, his actions—like instructing his crew to deliver a box labeled with Rogan’s podcast logo to Rogan’s comedy club if arrested—suggest a calculated provocation.