Fox News host Jesse Watters faced widespread condemnation after joking that "women in Asia" should "be careful" around U.S. troops during a July 16 episode of The Five. The remark was criticized online as trivializing sexual assault and was contextualized by historical incidents involving U.S. service members in Okinawa and the Philippines. Observers also pointed to Watters' prior controversies involving anti-Asian stereotyping, prompting renewed calls for media responsibility and accountability.
Fox Host's 'Joke' About Asian Women and U.S. Troops Sparks Outrage
Asian women targeted in Fox News host’s sexual assault 'joke'
Fox News host Jesse Watters drew sharp criticism after a July 16 remark suggesting that "women in Asia" should "be careful" around U.S. service members, whom he described as potentially becoming "wild animals" after taking testosterone. The comment, made during an episode of The Five while discussing a Pentagon proposal to screen service members for testosterone deficiency, was widely shared online and condemned as trivializing sexual violence.
Immediate Backlash
Journalist Mehdi Hasan and others reacted strongly after a clip circulated on social media. Hasan wrote on X that the exchange amounted to "a Fox host joking about US soldiers raping women," calling attention to the seriousness of joking about sexual assault and the responsibilities of national broadcasters.
"A Fox host joking about US soldiers raping women. Well done Rupert Murdoch, well done." — Mehdi Hasan, on X
Historical Context and Sensitivities
Critics said Watters' quip landed against a fraught history of incidents and long-standing concerns about misconduct by some American service members stationed in parts of Asia. Okinawa, where a substantial portion of U.S. forces in Japan are based, has seen recurring protests and calls for stronger discipline and transparency following several high-profile cases.
One watershed moment occurred after the 1995 abduction and sexual assault of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl by three U.S. service members, which sparked large protests. More recently, in 2023, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brennon Washington was accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a girl under 16 in Okinawa; a Japanese court convicted him in December 2024 and sentenced him to five years in prison.
The 2014 killing of Jennifer Laude, a transgender Filipina woman, by U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton also provoked public outcry and renewed debate about U.S. military access and accountability in the Philippines.
Watters' Record on Asian Communities
Observers noted the episode revisited a pattern of controversial remarks and segments by Watters. A 2016 Watters' World segment filmed in Manhattan's Chinatown was widely criticized for leaning on racist stereotypes; it featured questions about karate and bowing, martial-arts clips, the song "Kung Fu Fighting," and footage of Watters receiving a foot massage. Watters later called the segment a "light piece" meant to be "tongue-in-cheek" and said he regretted "if anyone found offense."
He also drew backlash in 2020 after defending the use of the phrase "Chinese virus" on The Five, dismissing concerns that the term could fuel anti-Asian sentiment and making disparaging remarks about Asian dietary habits. Critics say the latest exchange reinforces concerns about media responsibility and the harmful impact of jokes that reference sexual violence and vulnerable communities.
Broader Questions
Beyond immediate outrage, the incident has renewed debate about editorial standards at major cable networks, the obligations of high-profile hosts when discussing sensitive topics, and how jokes that invoke sexual violence and racial stereotypes are received by affected communities. Advocates and media critics have called for clearer accountability and more responsible coverage.
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