Fact Check: "Rogan never interacted with Johnson before the threatening videos surfaced"
What We Know
Brian "Liver King" Johnson was arrested on June 24, 2023, for making terroristic threats against Joe Rogan through a series of bizarre videos posted on social media. According to the Austin Police Department, detectives contacted Rogan, who confirmed that he had never had any interaction with Johnson and considered the posts to be threatening (Yahoo, Hollywood Reporter). Johnson's videos included statements about wanting to confront Rogan and challenge him to a fight, which led to the police obtaining an arrest warrant based on the perceived threat (US Magazine, Los Angeles Times).
Analysis
The claim that Rogan never interacted with Johnson before the threatening videos surfaced is supported by multiple credible sources. The Hollywood Reporter explicitly states that Rogan told detectives he had never interacted with Johnson (Hollywood Reporter). This assertion is further corroborated by Yahoo, which also reports that Rogan confirmed no prior interactions with Johnson (Yahoo).
The reliability of these sources is high, as both are well-established media outlets known for their journalistic standards. The context of the claim is rooted in a significant event involving public threats, which typically garners thorough reporting and fact-checking from reputable news organizations. Furthermore, the nature of the threats and the subsequent police action lend additional credibility to Rogan's statement, as it would be unlikely for law enforcement to act without corroborating evidence of the threats made.
While Johnson has a history of public statements and controversies involving Rogan, including previous mockery on Rogan's podcast, there is no documented evidence of any direct interaction between the two prior to the threatening videos. This lack of interaction is crucial in assessing the validity of the claim.
Conclusion
The verdict is True. Joe Rogan did not have any interactions with Brian Johnson before the threatening videos surfaced, as confirmed by both Rogan and multiple reliable news sources. The evidence indicates that Rogan's statement is accurate and supported by the context of the events surrounding Johnson's arrest.
