james-eppler

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News Anchor Faces Backlash Over Offensive BTS Oreo Joke

A news anchor in Texas is facing significant backlash from BTS fans after making an inappropriate joke about the band’s collaboration with Oreo. During a segment on Good Day Lubbock, anchor James Eppler suggested that the limited-edition cookies carried a secret message reading “death to America.”

The segment was intended to report on the upcoming partnership between the snack brand and the K-pop icons, which features biscuits in the band’s signature purple hue, flavored with a sugar pancake-inspired creme known as hotteok. While Eppler initially described the flavor profile accurately, his tone shifted when discussing the cookie designs.

“Each biscuit is engraved with one of 13 designs, which spell out a message to fans when put together that is ‘Death to America,’ which I think is really strange,” Eppler remarked. He quickly attempted to laugh off the comment, stating, “No, it’s not,” but the damage had already been done.

Fans of the group, known as ARMY, were swift to condemn the remarks on social media. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “Spreading misinformation about an Asian boyband on a news show knowing damn well how America is treating minorities right now is really weird.” Others accused the anchor of attempting to incite violence against the group, labeling the behavior as “abhorrent” and “unprofessional.”

Critics have pointed out that using such inflammatory language under the guise of humor normalizes xenophobia and misinformation. As of the time of writing, Eppler has not issued a public apology, nor has he addressed the growing controversy. The incident has sparked a wider conversation regarding the responsibility of media outlets to maintain professional standards when reporting on global artists.

In other developments for the band, BTS continues to dominate the global stage. Beyond their commercial partnerships, the group is set to co-headline the first-ever World Cup Final Halftime Show alongside Madonna and Shakira. This follows their successful return to touring, which has seen them perform to record-breaking crowds across the globe.