Fact Check: 'Liver King' arrested for threatening Joe Rogan in shocking Instagram videos

Fact Check: 'Liver King' Arrested for Threatening Joe Rogan in Shocking Instagram Videos

What We Know

Brian Johnson, widely known as the "Liver King," was arrested on Tuesday after posting a series of threatening messages directed at popular podcaster Joe Rogan on Instagram. According to the Austin Police Department, Johnson's videos included statements such as, "Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out, my name’s Liver King. Man to man, I’m picking a fight with you" and "I have no training in jiu-jitsu, you’re a black belt, you should dismantle me" (NBC News). The police were alerted to these threats after Rogan reported them, stating he had never interacted with Johnson and found the posts threatening (Los Angeles Times). Johnson was subsequently apprehended at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin and charged with a terroristic threat, categorized as a class B misdemeanor (ABC News).

Analysis

The evidence surrounding Johnson's arrest is corroborated by multiple credible news sources. NBC News, ABC News, and the Los Angeles Times all reported similar details about the nature of Johnson's threats and the police response (NBC News, ABC News, Los Angeles Times). The consistency across these reports lends credibility to the claim that Johnson was indeed arrested for making threats against Rogan.

Moreover, the context of Johnson's videos—where he explicitly challenges Rogan to a physical confrontation—supports the classification of his statements as threatening. The police's swift action in contacting Rogan and subsequently arresting Johnson indicates that the authorities took these threats seriously, further validating the claim (Hollywood Reporter).

While Johnson has a significant following and is known for promoting a controversial lifestyle centered around raw meat consumption, this does not detract from the seriousness of his actions. His previous controversies, including allegations of misinformation regarding his dietary practices, do not influence the legitimacy of the current incident (NBC News).

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that "Liver King" was arrested for threatening Joe Rogan is true. Multiple reliable sources confirm that Johnson was apprehended after making threatening statements on social media directed at Rogan. The nature of the threats and the police's response substantiate the seriousness of the situation.

Fact Check: 'Liver King' arrested for threatening Joe Rogan in shocking Instagram videos