XMN News: ‘Liver King’ Arrested for Threatening Joe Rogan, Spotted with Ankle Monitor Near Texas Capitol
XMN News: ‘Liver King’ Arrested for Threatening Joe Rogan, Spotted with Ankle Monitor Near Texas Capitol
Austin, TX – June 25, 2025 – Social media influencer Brian Johnson, widely known as the “Liver King,” was arrested Tuesday in Austin, Texas, on charges of making a terroristic threat against popular podcaster and UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The arrest followed a series of provocative Instagram videos where Johnson challenged Rogan to a physical fight, prompting swift action from the Austin Police Department (APD).
According to APD, detectives were alerted to Johnson’s threatening posts on June 24, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m. The posts, which included statements like, “Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out… Man to man, I’m picking a fight with you,” were deemed threatening by Rogan, who told authorities he had never interacted with Johnson. APD noted that Johnson was traveling to Austin, where Rogan resides, while continuing to make inflammatory statements online. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant, and Johnson was apprehended without incident at the Four Seasons Hotel on San Jacinto Boulevard at 5:59 p.m. that day. He was charged with a Class B misdemeanor for terroristic threat, which carries a potential penalty of up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Johnson, 47, was released on a $20,000 bond on Wednesday, June 25, with strict conditions. He is required to wear an ankle monitor, stay at least 200 yards away from Rogan, his family, residence, and places of business, and undergo a mental health evaluation within seven days. He is also prohibited from possessing firearms. In a bizarre twist, Johnson posted on social media shortly after his release, flaunting his ankle monitor and declaring his intention to head to the Texas Capitol, raising concerns about his next moves.
The “Liver King” rose to fame promoting an “ancestral lifestyle” centered on consuming raw meat and organs, amassing millions of followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. His persona faced scrutiny in 2022 when leaked emails revealed he spent $11,000 monthly on steroids, contradicting his claims of a natural physique. Rogan, a vocal critic, discussed Johnson’s steroid use on The Joe Rogan Experience, fueling tensions that appear to have culminated in Johnson’s recent threats. Johnson’s actions were chronicled in Netflix’s 2025 documentary Untold: The Liver King, which detailed his rise and fall in the fitness world.
Videos posted to Johnson’s Instagram account captured the moments leading up to his arrest, showing him pacing in a hotel room, discussing prison time, and embracing his wife, Bozena “Barbara” Johnson, and their sons. Another clip depicted him in handcuffs, clad in a burgundy sweatsuit and tactical vest, being led to a police vehicle. Social media reactions have been mixed, with some speculating about Johnson’s mental health, though no official reports confirm such claims.
APD stated the investigation remains active, and no further details are available at this time. Johnson’s feud with Rogan, combined with his public behavior, continues to draw attention, with many watching to see how this saga unfolds at the Texas Capitol and beyond.