Controversial fitness personality Brian 'Liver King' Johnson has resumed his online campaign against podcaster Joe Rogan, just one week after a Texas court dismissed a criminal charge against him for making terroristic threats.
Charges Dropped After Completing Counselling
Brian Johnson, 48, was arrested in Austin, Texas, in June following a series of menacing social media videos in which he challenged Rogan to a physical fight. However, court records examined by the Daily Mail reveal the case was formally dismissed on 12 November.
The filing stated the charges were dropped because Johnson had 'completed counselling classes.' This development allowed the self-styled 'ancestral living' advocate to avoid prosecution for the felony offence.
Social Media Campaign Reignites
Merely seven days after the dismissal, Johnson returned to Instagram to post about Rogan once more. He shared an audio clip, purportedly of a conversation where Rogan discussed the threats, using pictures of Rogan and comedian Seth Rogen to illustrate the different speakers. It is not believed Rogen was actually involved in the audio.
In the clip, Rogan labels Johnson as 'unstable' and expresses confusion over why he was being targeted. Johnson interjected with 'Oh there's a reason,' before launching into a rambling monologue about family and fighting for money.
Johnson insists his actions were not threats but a challenge. 'They weren't threats. A challenge. A fight. Come on, drama king,' he stated in his posts, adding, 'Still challenging Joe Rogan to a fight. You can't run forever.'
Public Concern and Bizarre Backstory
The renewed activity quickly alarmed followers, who flooded the comments with concerns for both men's safety and Johnson's mental wellbeing. One user quipped about the stability of 'printing out pictures of someone and taping them to the walls of your backwoods crack house,' while others referenced a potential 'mental collapse.'
According to arrest documents, Rogan told investigators he had no idea why Johnson was 'targeting him' and had never had any direct contact with the influencer. Rogan suggested Johnson 'has a significant drug issue' and 'appears to be significantly unstable and seems like he needs help.'
The root of Johnson's anger appears to trace back to 2022, when he was exposed as a steroid user after claiming his physique was built solely on a raw meat diet. Rogan's popular Spotify podcast amplified that scandal, which seemingly triggered Johnson's fixation.
Prior to his June arrest, Johnson embarked on a manic Instagram spree, posting dozens of videos ranting about fighting Rogan, administering a 'coffee enema' to himself, and engaging in seemingly solitary conversations.
Following his arrest, Johnson was released on $20,000 bail and ordered to stay away from Rogan. It remains unclear if that restraining order is still in effect following the dismissal of the criminal charge.
