ZEROBASEONE Matthew’s Shocking Meme Related To “Bombing Palestine” Sparks Outrage, Idol Issues Apology
ZEROBASEONE‘s Matthew is facing heavy backlash online after using a meme with an offensive and harmful meaning in a now-deleted TikTok video.
On April 23, Matthew shared a short video on TikTok that followed a current trend popular among Gen Z users. The clip featured several nonsensical, or “brainrot,” phrases, part of a style of humor trending on the platform. However, one specific phrase caught the attention of fans for all the wrong reasons.
The phrase “Bombardiro Crocodilo,” which Matthew included in his video, was initially believed to be meaningless. But some fans soon revealed the meme’s origin and found it to be far from harmless. The earliest known use of the phrase appears in an AI-generated video with disturbing content.
I know this whole italian brainrot meme is trending rn in korea with idols n globally but the real meaning in one of the words is really not funny.. really hope people are aware of the meanings pic.twitter.com/ukNWqjdj29
— 🦄 *✶saf⛲️☾⁺ ׂ 𓈒 ⋆ (@haopening) April 22, 2025
In the video, the AI-generated voiceover says a disturbing phrase related to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and Palestine. Despite its disturbing message, the video has gone viral and garnered over 20 million views and more than a million likes.
Bombardiro Crocodilo, an alligator that bombs kids in Gaza and Palestine and doesn’t believe in Allah and loves bombs.
— TikTok
@armenjiharhanyan 🗣️Bombardiro Crocodilo💥🔥 #fyp #tralalerotralala🗣🔥 #tralalerotralara #brainrot ♬ suara asli – Meme Effect Only – panggilajalailaa
Seems like Matthew unknowingly used the phrase, which is now part of a larger trend on the platform.
looks like mtw copied from this tiktok since it’s trending and probably wasn’t aware of the meaning, so I hope we can all educate him in plus chat https://t.co/h2eKKpJKZw pic.twitter.com/r28NAOT1uw
— kiki ✰ (@ugmire) April 22, 2025
Once the issue came to light, Matthew took to the fan communication app Bubble to issue a public apology. He claimed not to have known the meaning behind the phrase used.
My recent video meant something I was not aware of!
I’m sorry if I offended anyone, I did not know the meaning behind it. I’ll do my best in the future to double check what I post and the meaning behind them. Again I’m sorry and thank you guys for letting me know! I’ll do better.
— ZEROBASEONE’s Matthew
The TikTok video has since been deleted, and while some fans accepted his apology, others continue to express disappointment and urge greater responsibility from idols online.
