Texas anchor faces backlash after strange BTS joke on live TV
Chron • • entertainment
Key Points:
- During a Good Day Lubbock segment, anchor James Eppler mistakenly claimed that Oreo wafers in a BTS collaboration spelled out the phrase "Death to America," which is incorrect and sparked controversy.
- Viewers reacted strongly, with some accusing Eppler of making a racist comment on air and demanding an apology and his removal from the station.
- The backlash coincided with BTS's significant success at the 2026 American Music Awards, where they won Artist of the Year, Favorite Male K-Pop Artist, and Song of the Summer.
- Eppler is a long-standing media figure in Lubbock, having worked at FOX34 KJTV since 2007 and recently extending his contract through 2026, while also teaching journalism at Texas Tech University.
- The incident raised questions about professionalism and editorial oversight at the station during a high-profile week for BTS.