Texas news anchor James Eppler is under fire for making a weird ‘Death to America’ joke about BTS-themed Oreos on live TV.
A Texas news publisher is facing backlash for making a weird joke where he said Oreos were released in collaboration with South Korean boy band BTS’ “Death in America.”
FOX 34 Lubbock anchor James Eppler and his co-host were discussing a new limited-edition cookie during a light-hearted segment Tuesday when the broadcast took a strange turn.
“The cream should taste like South Korean hotteok, which is a brown sugar-filled pancake that some team members say they ate when they were kids,” Eppler said.
“That sounds good,” replied one of his colleagues.
“That sounds good, doesn’t it?” Eppler continued. “The cookie wafer is BTS’s signature purple color. The wafers are engraved with one of 13 designs, which spell out a message to fans when combined that is ‘Death to America,’ which I think is really weird.”
His colleagues immediately looked surprised.
“No, it’s not,” Eppler explained quickly while laughing.
“There might be someone singing,” replied one of his companions.
Eppler then continued with the segment as usual.
The comment quickly sparked a backlash online, with viewers and BTS fans calling the speech inappropriate and completely out of place.
Oreo described the collaboration as “very meaningful” as the band – which includes RM, Jin, SUGA, ij-hope, Jimin, iV and Jung Kook – put “part of their Korean heritage inside the iconic cookie they’ve always loved.”
Eppler, who is also a professor at Texas Tech, appeared to dismiss the speech in real time, but many fans wanted him to apologize and say he should be shot.
“You need to train your news anchor better behind you [have] screw this one, this was supposed to be a great collaboration between Oreos and BTS,” another fan wrote online.
“There is no room for ignorance, xenophobia, bigotry, racism or anything in between in journalism. If James Eppler can’t report the news without being rude, he doesn’t need a platform,” wrote another.
“What about this is funny,” wrote one user.
“If you knew BTS they are the most honorable men you know,” added another.
“What is this I just heard?” another viewer posted.
The Post has reached out to Eppler for comment.
The backlash comes during a big week for BTS.
The K-pop group swept the 2026 American Music Awards on Monday night, winning all three awards it was nominated for, including artist of the year.
The group also won best male K-pop artist for summer song “Dwiza,” the lead single from their new album “Arirang.”
“Army, we’ve done it again!” The leader of the group, RM, said this during his acceptance speech for the group’s artist of the year.
“It is an honor to have this precious award,” he added. “Our deepest gratitude and appreciation, as always, goes to the Armed Forces around the world, who have stood by us for the past 13 years. Thank you very much.”
