On June 24, 2025, Austin Police arrested Brian Johnson, known as Liver King, for making terroristic threats against UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The arrest followed a series of Instagram videos where Johnson challenged Rogan to a fight, prompting swift action from authorities. Reported on June 25, 2025, the incident highlights Johnson’s controversial persona and his ongoing public disputes.
Police acted after Johnson, a social media influencer with 2.9 million followers, posted videos while traveling to Austin. Rogan, who reported no prior contact with Johnson, felt threatened, leading to Johnson’s detention at the Four Seasons Hotel. The case has drawn attention due to Johnson’s history of public controversies.
Threats and Arrest Details
Austin Police stated:
“On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Austin Police Department detectives were notified that a subject identified as Brian Johnson, known online as Liver King, had made threats against Joe Rogan on his Instagram profile. Detectives reviewed the posts and observed that Johnson was traveling to Austin while continuing to make threatening statements. Detectives contacted Mr. Rogan, who stated he had never had any interaction with Johnson and considered the posts to be threatening.
Based on this information, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Johnson on a charge of Terroristic Threat. Later that day, at approximately 5:59 p.m., APD officers located Johnson at the Four Seasons Hotel located at 98 San Jacinto Boulevard and took him into custody without incident. He was transported to the Travis County Jail and charged with Terroristic Threat, a Class B misdemeanor. This remains an active investigation, and no further information is available at this time.” via MMAFighting
In a video, Johnson said:
“Joe Rogan, we don’t have to make videos to pretend anymore. All of this is happening, we’re coming to you. I’ve challenged you man-to-man to a fight. Honorable. We don’t have to pretend or make any videos. The world is watching, they’ll make the videos for us. You don’t have to hold the camera. You can hold the hand of somebody that you love because what happens next to you, you’re going to need to remember that feeling.”
Johnson was arrested at 5:59 p.m. on June 24, 2025, and charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a potential penalty of up to 180 days in jail or a $2,000 fine. He was held on a $20,000 bond, with no confirmation of his release as of June 25, 2025.
Johnson’s Background and Past Issues
Brian Johnson, a 48-year-old Houston native, gained fame as Liver King by promoting an “ancestral living” lifestyle, emphasizing raw organ meat consumption and intense fitness. In 2022, leaked emails exposed his $11,000 monthly steroid use, contradicting his natural fitness claims. On December 1, 2022, he admitted to using testosterone, apologizing for misleading followers. This led to a $25 million lawsuit from customers alleging fraud, which was dismissed in 2023. His 2022 Netflix documentary, “Liver King: The Raw Truth,” boosted his profile but drew criticism after the steroid revelation.
Johnson’s feud with Rogan began when Rogan questioned his physique on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast on November 29, 2022, stating, “There is no way you can look like that in your 40s, he’s preposterously jacked.” Johnson appears to blame Rogan for harming his supplement business, fueling his recent videos.
The investigation continues, with Austin Police offering no further details. Johnson’s wife, Bozena, was present during the arrest, and a team member suggested he might remain in jail for up to 24 hours pending a judge’s review. Some social media posts speculate about Johnson’s mental health, but no official reports confirm this.
Rogan, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and UFC commentator, has not commented publicly on the arrest.
UPDATE:
On June 25, 2025, Brian Johnson was released from Travis County Jail on a $20,000 bond after his arrest for making terroristic threats against Joe Rogan. His bond conditions require him to stay 200 yards away from Rogan, his family, residence, and businesses, possess no firearms, and undergo a mental health evaluation within seven days. The investigation remains active, with no court date set.
