AUSTIN, Texas – Brian Johnson, widely known as the “Liver King,” was released from a Texas county jail after posting a $20,000 bail following his arrest for allegedly making “terroristic threats” against renowned podcaster Joe Rogan. Johnson now faces a court-mandated restraining order and must undergo a mental health evaluation within the next week.
Immediate Impact
Travis County Court records, accessed by Rolling Stone, confirmed Johnson’s release on June 25. The court has ordered Johnson to maintain a distance of at least 200 yards from Rogan and his family. Additionally, the mental health evaluation must be completed by the upcoming Wednesday.
In a video shared on social media shortly after his release, Johnson appeared with his dogs, hinting at a possible departure from Austin. “I might be leaving Austin sooner than we were hoping… I love this state of Texas,” he remarked. In another Instagram story, he humorously noted, “I had to clean the jail off of me.”
Key Details Emerge
Johnson described his arrest as a “beautiful gift” in a video shot from an empty field in Austin, stating, “The goal was to come on Monday to pick a fight, a loving fight… They were really good.”
He further elaborated on his experiences with bullying, saying, “Does anybody know what it’s like to be bullied? Like, really bullied? Like for a long time? So much so that you don’t think the world won’t be a better place with you in it… That’s not what’s happening to me right now.”
Background Context
The 47-year-old had earlier posted a series of Instagram videos challenging Rogan to a fight, despite having no formal training in Jiu-jitsu. “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,” he declared in one of the videos.
The Austin Police Department was notified of Johnson’s threats against Rogan, prompting detectives to review the posts and observe Johnson’s travel to Austin while continuing his threatening statements.
Industry Response
According to the Austin Police Department, detectives contacted Rogan, who confirmed he had never interacted with Johnson and considered the posts threatening. Based on this information, an arrest warrant was issued for Johnson on a charge of Terroristic Threat.
Johnson was subsequently apprehended at the Four Seasons Austin on Tuesday, facing a Class B Misdemeanor charge of Terroristic Threat Causing Fear of Imminent Serious Bodily Injury (SBI).
What Comes Next
As the legal proceedings continue, Johnson’s mental health evaluation and adherence to the restraining order will be closely monitored. The outcome of these assessments could significantly impact his future actions and public persona.
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of public figures on social media and the potential consequences of their statements.
The timing of this development is particularly significant as it underscores the broader discourse on mental health and public accountability in the digital age.
Experts suggest that this case could set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future, potentially influencing both legal and social media landscapes.
