A Texas news anchor is facing backlash after making a bizarre comment about BTS’ new Oreo collaboration during a live broadcast.
According to foreign media outlets, James Eppler, an anchor for Fox 34 Lubbock, made the remark during a May 26th segment while discussing the new BTS Oreo Cookies with his fellow anchors.
Introducing the product, Eppler explained that the Oreo cream is inspired by hotteok, a Korean street food pancake filled with brown sugar, and noted that some BTS members had eaten it growing up.
He also said the cookie wafers come in BTS’ signature purple color.
Then, he suddenly added, “There are one of 13 different designs stamped, and if you collect them all, it sends a message to fans that says, ‘Death to America.’ I find that very odd.” Eppler quickly laughed it off, saying, “No, it doesn’t. It doesn’t.”
The remark quickly sparked outrage online.
Viewers criticized the comment, writing, “What did I just hear?” and “That wasn’t funny at all.” One user wrote, “Ignorance and hate have no place in journalism. If he can’t report the news without being unprofessional, he doesn’t need to have a place in the newsroom.”
? what about this is funny im so tired pic.twitter.com/xYGFMlasvS
— ِ (@kitteewhysker) May 27, 2026
@GrayMediaGTN @fox34 @KCBD11 The racism was intentional toward BTS, and it was disgusting. your channel should be ashamed for openly promoting hate and disrespect. People see exactly what you are. Do better.
— ⊙⊝⊜ SA 𐙚 𝄢 (@smoorriii) May 27, 2026
Fans also took issue with Eppler’s casual attitude toward the remark, demanding an apology and calling on the station to fire him.
A similar controversy erupted in February, when Seth Herzog, the warm-up comedian for NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, reportedly joked to the audience, “Anyone here from the North?” during a taping.
The comment drew criticism from fans who said it was a racist remark aimed at BTS. Herzog later apologized.
>> BTS Teams Up With Oreo for Limited-Edition Hotteok-Inspired Cookies
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