Global K-pop phenomenon BTS has become the center of controversy after comments made by a U.S. television news anchor sparked accusations of racism, xenophobia, and disrespect toward the group.

The incident occurred during a segment on KJTV FOX34’s Good Day Lubbock program in Texas, where anchors were discussing BTS’s newly announced collaboration with Oreo. The limited-edition cookie release celebrates the group’s cultural influence and includes purple cookie wafers, a hotteok-inspired cream filling, and 13 unique embossed designs connected to BTS and their fanbase, ARMY.

[NEWS] #BTS x OREO Cookies – New Limited Edition available in over 80 countries on June 8!

Pre-order: https://t.co/kHD1RywY5j pic.twitter.com/yOd5plBDcw

— BTS Charts News (@btschartsxdaily) May 26, 2026

At first, the conversation appeared relatively harmless.

Anchor James Eppler openly admitted that he could not name a BTS song, while a co-anchor similarly remarked that despite BTS constantly winning awards and trending worldwide, she was unfamiliar with their music. While some viewers viewed those comments as dismissive, the situation escalated moments later.

While describing the Oreo collaboration, Eppler suddenly claimed that the 13 cookie designs, when combined, spelled out the phrase “Death to America.” He then added that he found the supposed message “really strange.” The statement immediately stunned his co-hosts, who appeared visibly confused by the remark. Seconds later, Eppler attempted to brush it off by saying it was a joke.

oh this is so embarrassing for bts… pic.twitter.com/58A2jv6HmG

— SUMMERPIXIE (@OGSUMMERPIXIE) May 28, 2026

The problem, however, was that the claim was completely false.

The BTS Oreo collaboration contains designs celebrating the group’s 13th anniversary and references connected to BTS and ARMY. The cookies do not contain any anti-American message whatsoever. Oreo previously described the collaboration as a tribute to Korean culture, featuring flavors inspired by hotteok, a popular Korean street snack enjoyed by the members during childhood.

Within hours, clips of the broadcast spread across social media platforms, triggering widespread backlash.

Many fans argued that the joke crossed a line because it associated a Korean music group with anti-American hostility without any basis. Others pointed out that making such remarks on a news broadcast carries additional weight because viewers may assume information presented by television anchors is factual.

The controversy quickly became especially sensitive because BTS has spent years promoting messages of unity, self-love, and cultural understanding. Fans noted that the group has repeatedly spoken against discrimination and even visited the White House in 2022 to discuss anti-Asian hate and representation.

Online criticism intensified as viewers accused the segment of reinforcing harmful stereotypes about Asian artists. Some described the remarks as racist, while others argued that the joke reflected a broader issue involving how non-Western artists are sometimes treated by parts of Western media.

The timing also fueled frustration among fans.

The incident occurred during a major week for BTS, shortly after the group earned significant recognition at the 2026 American Music Awards and continued their successful global comeback activities. Many supporters felt it was disappointing to see one of the world’s most influential music acts reduced to the subject of what they viewed as an offensive punchline.

As outrage continued to grow, social media users demanded accountability from both the station and the anchor involved. Some called for a public apology, while others questioned how such a comment was allowed to air during a professional news broadcast.

So far, neither KJTV FOX34 nor James Eppler has issued an official public response to the controversy. Reports indicate that the backlash became so intense that attention quickly spread beyond BTS fan communities and into mainstream media coverage.

For many fans, the incident was not simply about a joke.

It was about respect.

And judging by the global reaction, a large number of viewers believe the line between humor and humiliation was crossed the moment BTS became the target of a false and highly controversial statement on national television.