In a recent turn of events, social media fitness influencer Brian Johnson, also known as ‘Liver King,’ has been charged over online threats made towards popular podcaster Joe Rogan. Johnson, who gained fame for promoting a raw meat diet and previously being embroiled in a steroid scandal, faced arrest after allegedly challenging Rogan to a physical altercation in a series of Instagram videos deemed as threatening by authorities.
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According to the Austin Police Department, Johnson was apprehended on Tuesday and is now facing a misdemeanor charge for making terroristic threats. The influencer, who often showcases his raw meat-eating lifestyle on social media, took to Instagram wearing a wolf pelt to issue the challenge to Rogan, calling for an ‘honorable’ fight between them.
Despite Rogan never hosting Johnson on his show, the former has criticized the influencer for his reported steroid usage. Johnson, who has built a fitness empire around an ‘ancestral’ diet consisting of animal organs and raw meat, faced backlash in 2022 after leaked emails revealed his involvement in using steroids and human growth hormones.
Following the leaked information, Johnson issued an apology video but still found himself entangled in multiple class-action lawsuits accusing him of deceptive marketing practices and promoting harmful behaviours to market his products. The influencer’s company, Ancestral Supplements LLC, also faced legal challenges due to the scandal.
In response to the threats made towards him, Joe Rogan informed authorities about the situation, indicating that he perceived the online posts as menacing. Consequently, a warrant for Johnson’s arrest was issued, leading to his detainment by officers at a hotel in Austin. Subsequently, Johnson was taken into custody and charged with making terroristic threats.
The incident has sparked discussions around the consequences of online behaviour and the potential legal ramifications of issuing threats over social media platforms. Both individuals involved in the altercation, Johnson and Rogan, have yet to publicly comment on the recent events, leaving followers and fans speculating on the outcome of this unusual online feud.
As the story continues to unfold, the implications of this incident on the world of social media influencers and online personalities remain to be seen. It serves as a reminder of the influence wielded by individuals with large followings on digital platforms and the need for responsible and respectful communication, even in the realm of online challenges and confrontations.
In light of this altercation, authorities are underlining the seriousness of making threats, whether online or offline, and the legal actions that can result from such behaviour. The case of ‘Liver King’ and Joe Rogan highlights the complexities of online interactions and the real-world consequences that can follow when lines are crossed in the digital sphere, reminding individuals of the importance of exercising caution and responsibility in their online presence.