Brian Johnson, a social media influencer known as ‘Liver King’ was arrested on Tuesday following a series of videos he shared on Instagram in which he challenged podcaster Joe Rogan to a fight. In one video, the 47-year-old appeared to be holding guns.
Following the social media rant, fans had expressed concern about the influencer’s mental state. Johnson was charged with making a “terrorist threat” and was booked into the Travis County Jail in Austin, Texas, Tuesday night, according to reports.
Who is the social media star and what is the controversy around him?
Who is the Liver King?
Brian Johnson, a former biochemistry student, is a fitness influencer who rose to fame by promoting an “ancestral lifestyle”. This involves consuming a large amount of raw, unprocessed meat, including liver and testicles, as well as engaging in ‘macho’ stunts, such as walking with 120lb of chains around his neck or sleeping on a bed made of wooden planks without a mattress.
@liverking Walks of chains 120lb+⛓
♬ original sound - LIVER KING ⚔️ ANCESTRAL CEO ⚔️
The influencer claimed that his lifestyle led to peak human performance. He launched a company, Ancestral Supplements, selling products like “Grass Fed Dessicated Beef Liver Capsules”.
The business reportedly earned him a whopping $100 million (£75 million) per year, turning Johnson into one of the most profitable influencers in the fitness world.
Why was he cancelled originally?
Johnson’s fate began to change when it was revealed that he was using steroids — something he had previously denied.
Johnson’s steroid use became public knowledge in December 2022, after an email leak showed that he had spent $11,000 a month on performance-enhancing drugs, contradicting the claims he had made about achieving his physique naturally.
The influencer suffered a colossal social media backlash. "I misled you," he admitted in a tearful video. "I got caught up in the game, and I lied."
The scandal prompted outrage among Johnson’s fans, with some filing a $25 million (£19 million) lawsuit against him, accusing him of fraud and deception.
In May, Johnson was the subject of a Netflix documentary, Untold: The Liver King, which examines the influencer’s cataclysmic rise and fall, as well as the culture of toxic masculinity that surrounds him.
What happened with his arrest?
On Monday, the Liver King shared a video on Instagram, challenging Joe Rogan to an “honourable” fight.
He said in the video: “Joe Rogan, I'm calling you out, my name's Liver King. Man to man, I'm picking a fight with you. 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.”
The following day, he shared another video. Liver King crawls on the floor, then challenges Joe Rogan again to a “man to man” fight.
On Wednesday, more videos were shared to the influencer's Instagram account, including one that appears to feature his arrest.
Two people enter the room and tell Johnson that it’s time to leave, prompting him to rant about not having enough time to “s**t.”
The Liver King then ushers his family towards him for a group hug and prayer.
Joe Rogan has never hosted Johnson on his podcast, however he has discussed his steroid use.
