Liver King Arrested in Texas After Challenging Joe Rogan to a Fight

In a shocking turn of events, social media fitness influencer Brian Johnson, known as the "Liver King," was arrested on Tuesday after posting a series of threatening videos directed at popular podcaster Joe Rogan. The arrest took place in Austin, Texas, after Johnson, who is infamous for promoting an extreme diet of raw meat and animal organs, made public threats to Rogan, challenging him to a fight.

Austin police reported that Johnson was arrested following a series of provocative videos posted on his social media accounts. In these videos, Johnson, who has over 3 million followers on Instagram, openly called out Rogan, declaring that he wanted to fight him "man to man."

Police were made aware of the situation after learning that Johnson was traveling to Austin, where Rogan lives, and making threatening remarks on his social media platforms.

In one of the videos, posted on Monday, Johnson boldly stated, "Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out, my name’s Liver King. Man to man, I’m picking a fight with you." He acknowledged his lack of jiu-jitsu training but insisted that he was willing to fight Rogan under any conditions. "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," Johnson declared in the video, clearly seeking to provoke a response from the renowned podcaster.

Later that day, Johnson posted another video in which he once again challenged Rogan, this time saying, "You never come across something like this, willing to die, hoping that you’ll choke me out because that’s a dream come true." In this unsettling video, Johnson's aggressive tone and willingness to face physical harm were evident, which added to the concerns raised by his behavior.

Rogan, who has built an empire through his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, responded to the threats by telling the police that he had never interacted with Johnson before and that he considered the posts to be threatening in nature. Rogan, known for his extensive martial arts background, particularly in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, was understandably concerned by Johnson's sudden and unprovoked challenge.

Later that same day, police arrested Johnson at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. He was charged with terroristic threat, a Class B misdemeanor, following his online provocations. The arrest was captured on video and posted to Johnson’s Instagram account, showing him being handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle. The video quickly gained traction among his followers, further fueling the controversy surrounding his actions.

Brian Johnson, the man behind the "Liver King" persona, has become a polarizing figure in the world of fitness influencers. He rose to fame by promoting the so-called "ancestral lifestyle," a diet that focuses on consuming large quantities of raw meat, particularly animal liver, and other animal organs.

His extreme approach to nutrition has garnered both a devoted following and sharp criticism. Many nutritionists and health experts have spoken out against his dietary methods, calling them dangerous and misleading.

Despite the massive online following, Johnson has faced significant backlash over the years, particularly due to allegations of steroid use. In 2022, Johnson was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs to maintain his muscular physique, which he initially denied.

However, after further scrutiny, Johnson admitted to using steroids and hormone therapy, eventually issuing an apology for his past actions. This incident was discussed in an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience in 2023, which has since garnered over 8.7 million views on YouTube. The episode delved into Johnson's controversial lifestyle and his use of steroids, making it one of the most talked-about podcasts of the year.

Although Johnson has never appeared on Rogan's podcast, his name has become linked to the host due to the public criticisms and discussions about his extreme lifestyle and steroid use. The fact that Johnson now chose to challenge Rogan to a fight, seemingly out of nowhere, has taken many by surprise, considering their history of indirect interactions.

In the days leading up to his arrest, Johnson’s social media activity became increasingly erratic, as he posted videos of himself in an agitated state, pacing around his home while speaking in a disjointed manner. He repeatedly mentioned "getting arrested," "going to jail," and "fighting Joe Rogan," further heightening concerns about his mental and emotional state.

The events surrounding Johnson's arrest have sparked a larger conversation about influencer culture and the impact of social media on public behavior. Influencers like Johnson, who have millions of followers, hold significant power in shaping public discourse.

However, this power also comes with responsibility, as seen in Johnson’s increasingly reckless actions. The incident raises questions about the accountability of influencers and the potential dangers of provoking physical confrontations online.

Johnson’s arrest has also put the spotlight on the influence that internet fame can have on an individual’s actions. While many influencers build their brands through positive engagement and content creation, others, like Johnson, rely on controversy and shock value to maintain their visibility.

The line between self-promotion and dangerous behavior can often become blurred, as evidenced by Johnson’s attempt to pick a fight with Rogan, a move that has now led to legal consequences.

At the time of his arrest, Johnson's legal team had not yet issued a statement, and Rogan's representatives also remained silent on the matter. It is unclear whether the two will ever meet in person, as Johnson had originally hoped, but what is clear is that this bizarre situation has escalated far beyond social media banter.

The case serves as a cautionary tale about the power of social media and the potential consequences of crossing the line from provocative behavior to illegal actions. Johnson's arrest is likely to fuel further debates about the responsibilities of influencers and the lengths some individuals are willing to go to maintain their public personas.

For now, the future of the Liver King remains uncertain. His arrest has undoubtedly harmed his reputation, and it is unclear how his followers will respond to the charges. Will this arrest mark the end of his influencer career, or will he continue to rise from the ashes, as many social media personalities have done in the past?

Only time will tell, but the events of this week will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in the life of Brian Johnson, the man behind the Liver King.