Brian Johnson, known to millions of social media followers as the "Liver King," found himself on the wrong side of the law recently when his escalating feud with podcast host Joe Rogan led to a dramatic confrontation that resulted in his arrest in Austin, Texas.
The 47-year-old influencer, renowned for his extreme fitness regimen, which includes consuming raw liver, animal testicles, and other unorthodox food choices, has garnered attention over the years for his outlandish public persona.
However, his latest stunt may have gone too far, leading to his involvement in a police investigation after making what authorities have described as terroristic threats.
The saga unfolded when Johnson, who has cultivated a significant following online for his extreme diet and muscular physique, posted a series of provocative videos that were aimed directly at Rogan.
These videos, which quickly went viral, captured Johnson taunting Rogan and issuing a direct challenge to fight him in the heart of Rogan’s hometown, Austin. Johnson's social media antics are known for their boundary-pushing nature, but this time, the consequences were far more serious than a typical online controversy.
On the night of June 24, Johnson was taken into custody at 8:30 p.m. by local authorities in Travis County, Texas. He was arrested outside a hotel, wearing a red hoodie and an old shirt, handcuffed, and escorted into a police vehicle as onlookers, including his wife, Bozena Johnson, stood by.
The arrest was captured on video, which showed Johnson appearing both agitated and apprehensive as he was led away by law enforcement officials. His wife’s visible distress in the footage added a sense of chaos to an already tense situation.
The images quickly circulated across social media, intensifying the public’s fascination with the controversial influencer’s downfall.
In the videos that preceded his arrest, Johnson had been seen pacing nervously around a living room while repeatedly stating phrases like “getting arrested,” “going to jail,” and “fighting Joe Rogan.”
At one point, he attempted to grab a pocketknife but was stopped by his assistant, who intervened before Johnson could take any further action. In another video, Johnson is seen sitting calmly with a cup of coffee while continuing his verbal taunt towards Rogan, all while a box bearing the logo of "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast sat beside him.
His defiant attitude in the face of potential consequences left many questioning his state of mind and whether his online persona was veering dangerously toward recklessness.
Johnson’s challenge to Rogan was not merely an offhand remark. In the videos, he explicitly stated that if arrested, he would bring a box with him to Rogan’s comedy club in Austin.
The mention of Rogan's business was likely meant to escalate the tension, as Johnson clearly sought to provoke a reaction from the highly influential media personality.
The situation began to spiral as Johnson’s increasingly erratic behavior became the focal point of public discussions about celebrity stunts, social media influence, and the fine line between entertainment and lawlessness.
The backstory behind Johnson’s rise to fame is also essential in understanding why this incident has taken on such a dramatic tone. Known for his radical diet of consuming raw organs like liver, testicles, and eggs, Johnson has built an empire of online followers by promoting a lifestyle of extreme health and physical fitness.
He claims that his routine allows him to achieve a physique comparable to that of a “Greek god,” crediting his raw, animal-based diet for his massive muscles and high energy levels. This controversial approach to fitness has earned Johnson both devoted fans and harsh critics, with many questioning the authenticity of his claims.
The most significant blow to his image came after leaked emails revealed that Johnson had been spending over $11,000 a month on steroids in an effort to maintain his imposing physique.
Johnson eventually admitted to using testosterone and growth hormones, which some saw as a direct contradiction to his public persona of natural health and raw food consumption.
Despite his earlier claims that his body was the result of raw meat consumption and natural supplements, it became clear that his extreme fitness routine was supported by the use of performance-enhancing drugs. This revelation brought the influencer considerable scrutiny, making his recent antics even more controversial.
Although Johnson has never appeared on Joe Rogan’s highly popular podcast, the two have been at odds for some time. Rogan, known for his no-holds-barred approach to discussing everything from fitness to politics, had openly criticized Johnson for what he perceived as a fraudulent lifestyle.
Rogan’s criticism centered around the idea that Johnson's promotion of extreme fitness and raw meat consumption was both misleading and potentially dangerous to his impressionable audience.
Given Rogan’s massive following and influence in the fitness community, the rivalry between the two was always ripe for escalation.
Rogan’s criticism was not confined to words alone. Netflix, the streaming giant, produced a documentary titled Untold: The Liver King, which chronicled Johnson’s journey from a small-time influencer to a social media sensation and supplement empire mogul.
The documentary revealed the inner workings of Johnson’s business and offered insights into his life, while also shining a light on the controversies surrounding his use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The film further solidified the public’s perception of Johnson as someone willing to go to extreme lengths to maintain his online persona, even if it meant crossing moral or ethical lines.
The arrest of Johnson brings to the forefront a complex issue involving social media, fame, and responsibility. Johnson, who had amassed millions of followers by pushing the boundaries of extreme health and fitness, now faces serious legal consequences for his actions.
His challenge to Joe Rogan, which was initially perceived as an attempt to drum up publicity, has now become the catalyst for his legal troubles. While it is still unclear if the direct threat to Rogan was the trigger for the arrest, the series of erratic behaviors leading up to the confrontation painted a picture of a man spiraling out of control.
In the aftermath of the arrest, the internet has erupted with opinions on Johnson’s behavior, his public persona, and the implications of his actions.
Supporters argue that he is simply a victim of his extreme lifestyle and the pressures of maintaining a larger-than-life social media presence, while critics believe that Johnson’s actions exemplify the dangers of celebrity culture and social media fame.
His story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of pushing one’s image too far in an age where online attention can have serious real-world consequences.
For now, Johnson remains in custody, facing charges that could have long-term ramifications for both his personal life and his career. His arrest marks the end of a chapter in his life as the “Liver King” and raises serious questions about the fine line between performance and personal responsibility in the world of social media influencers.
As the legal proceedings unfold, many will be watching to see whether Johnson’s rise to fame was worth the cost—and whether he can recover from the fallout of his ill-fated challenge to Joe Rogan.