[WARNING: This list contains footage some viewers may find disturbing, and all viewers will find disgusting.] If you’re not watching mukbang on YouTube, then you’re missing out. (Okay, not really–just hear us out.) Mukbangers eat on camera while talking to viewers. Simple as that. Most try to gulp down massive piles of unhealthy food, and it’s oddly hard to look away.

Welcome to our top 10 problematic mukbang roundup, where we dive deep into the drama, the controversy, and the downright bizarre moments that keep fans glued to their screens.

Why the Top 10 Problematic Mukbang Stars Keep Us Hooked

The world of mukbang is a strange mix of gluttony, gossip, and internet fame. These creators have turned eating into a theatrical performance, and their off‑camera antics are often just as riveting as the food they devour. Below you’ll find each of the most contentious personalities, ranked from the most infamous to the oddly wholesome.

10 Trisha Paytas: Identifies as a Chicken Nugget

Look up “controversial mukbanger” in the dictionary, and you’re sure to find a photo of this blonde bombshell. Trisha Paytas has been on YouTube since 2007 and has more than five million subscribers. She’s a real problem child who has been in dozens of public feuds with her fellow mukbangers.

Paytas can go from glam to gutted in one video: all too often, viewers find her on her kitchen floor broadcasting another emotional breakdown. The YouTuber has made some weird revelations over the years. She married a cardboard cutout of Brad Pitt. She claimed she was transgender (more specifically, a gay man with “penis envy” who dresses in drag and loves “glam” and “voluptuosness”). In one particularly memorable episode, Paytas explained all the reasons why she identifies as a chicken nugget. (And that chicken nugget video has been viewed more than 1.1 million times.)

Paytas has several YouTube channels and a net worth of about $8 million. Her main channel, Blndsundoll4mj, has accumulated more than 1.8 billion views. It’s estimated that her channel generates thousands per day from the advertisements that run on her videos. (And that’s not considering the millions she makes from paid subscribers on Patreon.)

But it’s not cash that Paytas is after. “I never cared about being rich or anything (still don’t),” she’s said. “I just had (have) this constant need for attention. Maybe that’s a bad thing, maybe not, but it’s how I thrive.”

In May 2019, mukbang sensation Nikocado Avocado (next item) called Paytas out for bad behavior. His viral video “Exposing Trisha Paytas With Receipts” has racked up nearly 3 million views. Perry, who was depending on Paytas to help him become famous, tearfully slams Paytas for ghosting and criticizing him. He published the video and, in true cancel‑culture style, made all of their DMs (direct messages) public. It’s exactly the kind of melodrama mukbang fans adore.

9 Nikocado Avocado: Food Can’t Ease His Emotional Breakdowns

Don’t be fooled: Nikocado Avocado (Nicholas Perry) may like to play the victim, but he is every bit as problematic as Paytas. (The two have since reconciled. And there’s a video of that, of course.)

The mukbanger has been posting food videos since 2014, when he was a slim 21‑year‑old vegan. He’s since become an overweight junk‑food junkie. (He decided the vegan lifestyle was detrimental to his health.) Perry, one of the first male mukbangers, now has three channels: Nikocado Avocado, Nikocado Avocado 2, and Nikocado Avocado 3. Perry posts almost daily, and each new video is as bizarre as the last.

Perry claims that his struggle to accept the fact that he was adopted led him to his current career. “I would just, like, always want attention,” he told Paytas during their collab. “I wanted the spotlight.” He gets that attention by devouring enormous piles of food and throwing temper tantrums on camera. He cries, yells, throws food, collapses to the ground. His trademark fits involve his smashing food with a broom. “They [fans] like when I’m upset, they like when I’m crying, they like when I’m hyper,” he admitted.

In December 2019, Perry collaborated with mukbangers Stephanie Soo and Zach Choi (Nos. 8 and 1 on our list). Days later, Soo posted, “Why I am Scared of Nikocado Avocado.” Detailing Perry’s “abusive” behavior, it has been viewed nearly 10 million times. Soo’s cancel video instigated a series of back‑and‑forth videos between the two mukbangers. Fans overwhelmingly sided with Soo against Perry.

Perry blamed the internet feud for his spiraling mental decline and for the end of his marriage. And there’s a Change.org petition, “Remove Nikocado Avocado from YouTube,” to formally cancel Perry’s online presence. Despite it all, Perry continues to deliver emotional new content regularly. He’s a train‑wreck.

8 Stephanie Soo: Not Her Fault She Behaved Badly

From Stephanie Soo’s perspective, Perry is to blame for all of the mukbang drama. While collabing with Nikocado Avocado, Soo talked trash on friend and fellow mukbanker Veronica Wang (No. 3 on our list). Soo claimed that Perry pressured her into the verbal attacks; she hadn’t wanted to say anything bad about Wang. The regret she felt caused Soo to suffer a series of panic attacks that left her (so we’re to believe) unable to complete her scheduled collaboration with Perry. Soo and Perry attempted to cancel the other, and Soo definitely won the war. The most prominent mukbangers sided with her, and Perry is still trying to recover.

So, what’s the deal with Stephanie Soo? She’s one of the most successful mukbangers in the world. Originally from South Korea (where the phenomenon originated), the YouTuber now resides in a $2.29 million mansion in the San Fernando Valley. The desirable Sherman Oaks neighborhood is home to an array of rich social‑media celebrities and YouTube stars.

Soo has only been mukbanging for two years, but she has made her mark on the industry. Her 1.3 million subscribers have given her more than a quarter of a billion views (and that’s just on one of her channels). Hardly a “broke ass biss” (she wears “BISS” t‑shirts), she’s driving around the LA hills in her $100,000 Tesla.

7 Hungry FatChick: Moans Orgasmically for Food and More

In her thesis “Watching Women Eat: A Critique of Magical Eating and Mukbang Videos,” Samantha Gillespie explores mukbang’s role in society’s thinness culture. Gillespie calls attention to famed mukbanger Hungry FatChick (aka Candy Godiva).

While Paytas and Perry are overweight, Godiva—155 cm (5’1”), 180 kg (396 lb)—is morbidly obese. With hair and makeup perfectly in place, she devours gigantic portions of food. With each bite, Godiva exhibits the trademark lip‑smacking and moaning that viewers either love or hate. To her critics, she says, “This is an eating channel, not a weight‑loss channel, get it straight. If you’re not here to see a hungry fat chick eat food, then move along. This isn’t the channel for you.”

Godiva doesn’t have any major drama with other mukbangers, but she’s not without controversy. The YouTube star is also known for putting out (no pun intended) adult fetish content. “Candy Godiva & SSBBW”—that’s “Super‑Sized Big Beautiful Woman” to the layperson—features Godiva in all her naked glory (along with more of the moaning and lip‑smacking that her fans so love).

6 Amberlynn Reid: Doubled in Size During Her Weight‑Loss Journey

Like Godiva, Amberlynn Reid is a big girl. She’s young and sweet, but she’s ruffled some serious feathers with her “weight‑loss” mukbang videos. Reid has been doing these videos for five years. She’s gone through three online “eras” of girlfriends: Krystal Era, Destiny Era, and Becky Era.

Reid carefully counts calories, and she generally eats healthy foods on her videos. But fans (and haters) bemoan the fact that she seems to be letting her YouTube income take precedence over her health. She’s been documenting her weight‑loss journey for years but has actually gained a considerable amount of weight (about 90 kg in five years). She now tips the scales at 259 kg (570 lb).

Thousands have signed a Change.org petition to end Reid’s video log, saying that she is “receiving at least $1,000 monthly for doing nothing but deceiving her fans.” Will de‑monetizing Reid help her get healthy once and for all?

5 Foodie Beauty: Serves a Cheese Platter with a Side of Mass Suicide

Chantal “Foodie Beauty” Marie wants to “prove that mukbangs (social eating shows) do not have to be unhealthy.” Her YouTube channel features cooking, food reviews, wellness, and beauty. Sounds positive, right?

Most of the time it is. But the star crossed the line with a particularly controversial video (“**TRIGGER WARNING**HALLOWEEN CHEESE CEMETERY MUKBANG!”) that has since been taken down. Foodie Beauty shocked fans when she showed photos and video footage of the 1997 Heaven’s Gate mass suicide. While munching on cheese, she told her 60,000 subscribers about the cult’s tragic story. Fans were appalled.

“Imagine sitting there, flashing pictures of dead bodies on the screen, while you stuff your face talking about the price of Nikes,” complained one critic. (Nikes were a notable part of the Heaven’s Gate story). “She is literally sitting there talking about mass suicide and mid‑sentence stops to give a review on how the cheese tastes. I am in f‑ing awe.” Foodie Beauty shot back at the critic, calling him a hypocrite for fat‑shaming her.

4 Banzz: False Advertising? Sorry, Not Sorry

Banzz can eat. A lot. Like 100 McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets—not the Trisha Paytas kind—in one sitting. But the YouTuber also known as Jung Man‑su had a rough go of things in 2019, when he used his online platform to promote his own brand of ‘weight‑loss’ food products.

A district court in South Korea fined Banzz for false advertising. Prosecutors requested “six months of penal servitude.” But the defense team claimed that their client did not intend to scam viewers and that his illegal posted content was simply the result of inexperience. In the end, he was ordered to pay 5 million won ($4,100)—an affordable penalty for a guy who’s reportedly worth millions.

Banzz posted a tearful apology video. YouTube fans are big on video apologies because they can chime in with comments. Unfortunately, Banzz then made the mistake of deleting comments he didn’t like. Viewers were jacked and unsubscribed in droves—Banzz effectively created his own cancel culture.

Nevertheless, the YouTuber has enough followers to continue to make money. Because despite the fact that he inhales massive amounts of food on camera, Banzz is “ripped AF.”

3 Veronica Wang: Taking Legal Action Against the Little Guy

Yeah, they make serious money, but should mukbangers really be taken seriously? Veronica Wang thinks so. This big‑name YouTuber took offense at a parody channel and threw all of her weight at it.

Shookbang takes beloved mukbang videos and turns them into parodies. Fans love it because what’s better than mukbang videos? More videos about mukbang videos! Shookbang featured Wang in some of its parodies, and she was not happy about it. (Translation: She didn’t make any money on the parodies.)

Wang, along with a few other mukbang originals, made illegal copyright strikes against Shookbang. The parody channel was forced to temporarily shut down to avoid further legal action and the possibility that its creators would be exposed.

The YouTube community railed back at Wang for unlawfully claiming copyright on the Shookbang videos. Shookbang was in line with the Fair Use Law that permits them to “transform” Wang’s content with its own music and edits. Wang’s copyright strike claim was false and illegal, and Shookbang is back up and running.

2 Ssoyoung: Eating Live Animals—Cultural or Purely Shock Value?

[WARNING: the video above contains footage of killing and eating live animals.] South Korean YouTuber Ssoyoung shocks the internet with her mukbangs. In fact, some of her videos are so disturbing that she was compelled to delete them. Luckily (or unluckily?), the clips are still fairly easy to find.

In some cultures, eating seafood that is alive—still moving!—is a thing. But Ssoyoung exaggerates the custom to garner a bigger fan following. She uses her saltshaker to send eels into seizures before she eats them. And she ate a whole live octopus on camera. (Thrilling for those who find pleasure in sucking sounds.)

But Ssoyoung really stirred the pot when she posted a video of herself eating a whole pig’s head. Before she started taking bites of the head, she warned viewers that the visual might make them “feel uncomfortable.” The mukbanger gnawed on that revolting thing for 15 minutes. The spectacle was grotesque, but the controversy was not about the pig.

Ssoyoung implied that that’s how Koreans eat pigs, but it is not. Critical comments flooded in and blamed the YouTuber for spreading false cultural information. “Which Korean eats a pig head whole like that? The foreigners watching are going to believe this is normal,” complained one viewer. “The meat from the pig head is usually cooked into thin slices. How is what you’re doing anything like that?” Another added, “You’re desperate for views.”

Ssoyoung apologized, but she still faces a rash of haters. Some have called for a more sincere apology for her antics in ruining the “Korean reputation.” Others want her to understand that an octopus does indeed feel pain.

1 Zach Choi: Chewing Loudly But Never Speaking

Zach Choi is a superstar among mukbangers. He’s the exception on this list as his reputation is that of a “good guy.” Choi combines his eating craft with another popular YouTube pastime: ASMR. ASMR, autonomous sensory meridian response, is defined as a “calming, pleasurable feeling often accompanied by a tingling sensation” (aka, a head orgasm). While the slurping noises mukbangers make falls into the ASMR category (yes, some people are soothed by the sounds of other people eating), ASMR videos on YouTube generally feature whispering into a microphone or in voice‑overs.

So on one hand, Choi can smack his lips and chew loudly and entertain his mukbang fans. (He never talks while he mukbangs.) On the other hand, he can whisper into a microphone to please his ASMR fans. The combined result: nearly 7 million followers and an estimated net worth of $11 million. Dude makes about a $1 million a month from his videos.

9 Sinister Facts About The Dark Side Of Instagram [WARNING: Disturbing]

Before we dive into the top 10 most unforgettable jingles ever crafted, let’s pause and think about what makes a jingle truly great. A timeless jingle is instantly recognizable, irresistibly catchy, and a joy to hum or belt out. We hear it enough that the brand it represents flashes before our eyes every single time.

Top 10 Most Memorable Jingles You Can’t Stop Singing

1. Band‑Aid by Johnson & Johnson

The classic Band‑Aid jingle from the 1970s still feels warm and reassuring today. Its melody paired with a visual of Band‑Aid strips clinging to a wound—even underwater—conveys durability and care. The tune painted a vivid picture of superior protection for both tiny cuts and bigger scrapes, making it the go‑to earworm whenever a bruise needs covering.

Listeners instantly associate the comforting lyric with the brand’s promise of reliable coverage. The campaign’s simplicity ensured the jingle lodged itself in viewers’ minds, turning a simple adhesive strip into a cultural staple that still resonates.

Even now, the notion of a Band‑Aid sticking firmly reminds us of that unforgettable melody, though we might wish the actual product stayed on as well as the tune does.

2. My Bologna Has a First Name by Oscar Mayer

“My bologna has a first name” became an instant classic after its 1973 debut, crafted by Tim McElligott of N.W. Ayer & Son. The jingle spells out O‑S‑C‑A‑R and M‑A‑Y‑E‑R, celebrating the brand’s beloved deli meat with a playful, sing‑along cadence.

Its catchy refrain quickly infiltrated TV and radio spots, cementing Oscar Mayer’s bologna in the American culinary imagination. Over the decades, variations kept the core melody alive, reinforcing the product’s nostalgic appeal.

In 2010, Advertising Age ranked the campaign among the top 100 best of all time, and the jingle still prompts cravings for a classic bologna‑and‑cheese sandwich.

3. I’m Lovin’ It by McDonald’s

Launched in 2003, the “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign was the brainchild of Heye & Partner, a DDB Worldwide offshoot. Conceived to revive sales, the jingle features the simple, ear‑catching line “Ba‑da‑ba‑ba‑ba, I’m lovin’ it,” voiced by a rotating roster of pop stars including Justin Timberlake and Pharrell.

The melody’s upbeat rhythm quickly linked McDonald’s with feelings of fun and satisfaction, helping the chain regain momentum worldwide. Billboards, digital ads, and TV spots all carried the tune, reinforcing the brand’s upbeat identity.

Decades later, the jingle remains a staple of McDonald’s advertising, a testament to its lasting power and universal appeal.

4. You’re a Pepper by Dr. Pepper

The “You’re a Pepper” jingle, born in the early 1970s at Doyle Dane Bernbach, debuted in 1977 and celebrated individuality with the line “You’re a Pepper, he’s a Pepper, she’s a Pepper, we’re a Pepper.”

Its quirky, inclusive message resonated strongly, boosting Dr. Pepper’s market share and embedding the phrase in pop culture. The campaign’s success hinged on the jingle’s memorable hook and its ability to position the soda as a choice for the unique.

Through updates and modern reinterpretations, the jingle continues to charm new generations while retaining its original spirit.

5. It’s Slinky by James Industries

Created in the early 1960s, the Slinky jingle celebrates the toy’s iconic springy descent down stairs. Written by Betty James and Richard James Jr., the lyric asks, “What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs…?” and proclaims the toy as a “marvelous thing!”

The catchy chant has endured through decades of commercials, movies, and TV shows, cementing the Slinky’s place in American childhood memories.

Even with occasional modern tweaks, the core melody and playful wording remain beloved across ages.

6. Oscar Mayer Wiener by Oscar Mayer

First aired in 1962, the “Oscar Mayer Wiener” jingle was penned by Richard D. Trentlage of N.W. Ayer & Son. Its lyric—“Oh, I’d love to be an Oscar Mayer wiener…”—painted the hot dog as the object of universal affection.

The tune quickly became a cultural phenomenon, appearing in commercials, radio spots, and even movies. Over the years, while lyrics have evolved, the central “wiener” refrain stays instantly recognizable.

The jingle’s lasting fame even inspired the iconic Wienermobile, a giant hot‑dog‑shaped vehicle touring the nation to promote the brand.

7. Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz by Alka‑Seltzer

Debuting in 1976, the “Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz” jingle captured the sound of Alka‑Seltzer tablets dissolving in water. Created by Wade Advertising, it was written by Tom Dawes and composed by Charles “Chas” Calacanis.

The memorable phrase, paired with an animated Speedy mascot, highlighted the product’s fast‑acting relief and quickly became a staple of TV advertising, even inspiring countless parodies.

Updates over the years have modernized the sound, yet the original “plop plop fizz fizz” remains a beloved auditory cue for the brand.

8. Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There by State Farm

Since 1971, the “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There” jingle—crafted by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman—has personified the insurer as a reliable, caring neighbor.

The warm, reassuring melody helped cement State Farm’s reputation for trustworthiness, resonating across generations of policyholders.

Its timeless message continues to assure customers that help is just a phone call away, reinforcing the brand’s core values.

9. Give Me a Break by Kit Kat

First released in the UK in 1957, the “Give Me a Break” jingle was composed by Jack Strachey with lyrics by Donald McGill. It depicted a stressed office worker taking a quick, satisfying pause with a Kit Kat.

The tune crossed the Atlantic in 1986, retaining its catchy melody and becoming synonymous with the brand’s “have a break” messaging worldwide.

Its enduring popularity has led to countless pop‑culture references, covers, and parodies, underscoring its timeless appeal.

10. I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke by Coca‑Cola

No jingle list would be complete without Coca‑Cola’s iconic anthem. Debuting in 1971 as part of the “It’s the Real Thing” campaign, the song captured a spirit of global unity.

Bill Backer, inspired by a rainy layover in Ireland, penned lyrics that celebrated togetherness over a Coke. Filmed on an Italian hilltop, the commercial featured a worldwide chorus that quickly became legendary.

Since then, the melody has been refreshed for events like the fall of the Berlin Wall, cementing its status as a universal symbol of harmony.

When the phrase “stop the presses” pops into your mind, you probably picture a dramatic newsroom scramble as a breaking story shatters the evening deadline. In reality, the phrase marks a rare, high‑stakes moment when The New York Times must halt its massive printing operation. The paper’s deadline sits at 11:00 PM, with over 300,000 copies rolling off the presses each weekday and double that on weekends, all destined for New York’s eager readers. If the presses are stopped, it’s because something truly monumental has unfolded—one of the ten events made unforgettable enough to rewrite the front page.

10 Muhammad Ali’s Death

Boxing fans worldwide felt a collective punch when the legend Muhammad Ali slipped away. Known for his poetic trash‑talk and the iconic line, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” Ali’s impact stretched far beyond the ring. When news broke that he was on a ventilator, the Times sprang into action, prepping a special bulletin for the next day. By 12:20 AM on June 4, 2016, a tweet announced his passing, prompting a frantic text: “NBC reporting he’s dead.” After the family confirmed the loss, a news alert fired at 12:44 AM, and the presses were halted. The digital team raced to post an extensive obituary and a curated list of Ali’s most memorable quotes. By 1:51 AM, the pressroom had re‑loaded the plates and the machines whirred back to life.

9 New York’s Same‑Sex Marriage Law

The battle for marriage equality in New York culminated after years of heated debate. While the world had seen Vermont grant full marriage benefits to same‑sex couples in 2000 and the Netherlands become the first nation to legalize such unions in 2001, New York’s journey was uniquely intense. After a marathon nine‑hour closed‑door session in June 2011, the state Senate finally approved the bill by a 33‑29 margin. The public announcement came at 10:30 PM, and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo affixed his signature at 11:55 PM, instantly giving gay couples the legal recognition they’d fought for. The Times, already mid‑print, halted the presses to splash this historic development across its front page.

8 The Killing Of Osama Bin Laden

For a decade after the September 11 attacks, Osama bin Laden’s name became synonymous with terror. The final chapter closed when SEAL Team Six operator Robert J. O’Neill neutralized him in Abbottabad, Pakistan. On May 1, 2011, the nation awaited President Obama’s anticipated address at 10:30 PM Eastern. As the clock ticked past 10:45 PM with no speech, the internet buzzed with breaking reports. ABC’s Martha Raddatz captured the mood: “We’re hearing absolute jubilation throughout the government.” After a brief delay, Obama announced at 11:35 PM that “justice had been done,” confirming bin Laden’s death. The Times immediately stopped its presses to swap the front‑page headline for this monumental news.

7 The Death Of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist

Appointed to the Supreme Court in 1971, William H. Rehnquist rose to become chief justice in 1986, a post he held until his passing in 2005. Nicknamed “the Lone Ranger” for his steadfast convictions, Rehnquist consistently voted against abortion rights, school desegregation, and for states’ rights and capital punishment. Perhaps his most consequential vote came in the 2000 Florida recount, where he sided with the 5‑4 majority that handed the presidency to George W. Bush. After revealing a thyroid‑cancer diagnosis on October 26, 2004, he fought the disease until his death on September 3, 2005. Though his demise was anticipated, the Times didn’t receive the final confirmation until 11:20 PM, prompting a late‑night press stop.

6 The Presidential Election, Part 1

The 2000 presidential contest between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore turned into a midnight thriller, especially once the race reached Florida. Initially, the night’s tally suggested a Bush lead, prompting the Times to prepare a headline reading “Bush Appears to Defeat Gore.” At 2:15 AM, the newsroom learned that Gore was about to deliver his concession speech, so the presses were halted to print the new headline. Yet, just as the pages headed to the printers, the Times discovered that Gore had been instructed to hold his speech—meaning the race was far from settled.

5 The Presidential Election, Part 2

After the initial confusion, a second “stop the presses” command was issued when it became clear that Gore would likely retain the popular‑vote lead. The Florida recount intensified, and the Supreme Court ultimately intervened on December 12, 2000, halting the recount and allowing the certified results to stand—securing Bush’s electoral victory. The contentious Florida battle sparked nationwide calls for voting‑system reforms and marked the fourth instance in U.S. history where a president won without a popular‑vote majority.

4 The Trans World Airlines Flight 800 Crash

On July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800 departed New York bound for Paris, only to explode over Long Island at 8:40 PM, killing all 229 aboard. Witnesses described a massive fireball visible from 10 miles away, some even feeling a tremor as the aircraft disintegrated. Initial speculation pointed to a possible terrorist act, but investigators later traced the catastrophe to a faulty circuit that ignited the fuel. When the tragedy broke, the Times ordered an immediate press halt to replace its front‑page story with the shocking news.

3 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s Death

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, forever remembered as the “First Lady of Camelot,” endured a life of public scrutiny and personal tragedy. After marrying John F. Kennedy, she became an icon, fluent in several languages and even earning an Emmy for her documentary “A Tour of the White House.” The 1963 assassination of her husband thrust her into the nation’s collective grief, famously captured in the blood‑stained pink dress she wore during Lyndon B. Johnson’s swearing‑in. In late 1993, while on a Caribbean cruise, Jackie developed a persistent cough and swollen neck lymph nodes. Diagnosed with non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma, she initially responded to chemotherapy, achieving remission in early 1994. Unfortunately, by April, the cancer had metastasized to her brain and spinal cord. Following her wishes, she returned home on May 18, 1994, and passed away peacefully in her sleep at 10:15 PM, aged 64. Her son, John F. Kennedy Jr., announced the loss, prompting the Times to rush a front‑page update.

2 President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Televised Speech

After President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency and quickly set his sights on the 1968 election. He had already championed civil‑rights legislation, signing the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and was gearing up for a re‑election campaign. On March 31, 1968, Johnson delivered a televised address at 9:00 PM, initially presumed to be a rallying call for another term. The Times, already mid‑print, prepared a headline anticipating his candidacy. However, at 8:00 PM the speech arrived, and Johnson shockingly announced he would not seek re‑election. The newsroom halted the presses, scrambling to rewrite the front page to reflect the unexpected decision.

1 Dewey Defeats Truman

The infamous “Dewey Defeats Truman” blunder belongs to the Chicago Daily Tribune, but it serves as a cautionary tale for every newsroom. On November 3, 1948, the Tribune printed an early‑evening edition proclaiming Thomas Dewey’s victory over incumbent Harry S. Truman, based on incomplete returns. Truman, traveling by train, received the erroneous paper in St. Louis and famously held it up for the cameras. Meanwhile, the Times had already crafted its own front‑page story, publishing it the next morning at 8:30 AM, thereby avoiding the same mistake. By the early hours of November 3, the true result—a Truman win—was confirmed, saving the Times from a headline disaster.

Why These 10 Events Made The Presses Stop

Each of the moments above reshaped the news landscape, forcing The New York Times to pause its massive printing operation and rewrite history on the spot. From tragic deaths to seismic political shifts, these ten events made the newsroom sprint, proving that even the most established institutions must adapt when the world changes in an instant.