Why Pepsi is apologizing for a controversial social media post

Melina Khan, USA TODAYWed, July 8, 2026 at 1:30 PM UTC

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Pepsi has apologized and deleted a social media post after it stirred controversy over a reference to "asking for permission," which critics said made light of consent.

According to screenshots shared on social media, the post on Pepsi's Threads account said, "Pepsi Wild Cherry is what happens when regular cherry stops asking for permission."

On July 7, the soda brand shared an apology for the post.

"Our recent Wild Cherry post landed in a way we never intended. We hear you, we’re sorry, and the post has been deleted," Pepsi's post said. According to social media users, the post remained online for several hours before it was deleted.

While the post discussed Pepsi's cherry and wild cherry soda flavors, some argued it glorified non-consent.

Pepsi referred USA TODAY to its apology statement when contacted on July 8.

Here's what to know.

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Why was Pepsi's Wild Cherry post controversial?

Some social media users likened Pepsi's post about not "asking for permission" to consent around sexual encounters.

"The only way to interpret this post, which Pepsi has kept up for 10 hours already, is SA. This is absolutely abhorrent," one user said. "SA" is an acronym commonly used for sexual assault.

Another wrote, "Deleting a post doesn’t delete the mindset it took to write it. Consent isn't a marketing angle, & sexual assault isn't a joke. Pepsi should have never posted it. Period!"

Other social media users interpret the post differently

Meanwhile, others defended Pepsi in light of the backlash, saying that the post was not discussing assault.

"I personally read 'permission' as a hell-raising kind of kid, not an assault. But that's me," one person wrote.

"I don't think this was a rape joke or anyone over there at Pepsi making fun of victims of assault.. I think it’s saying that Cherry does what it wants to do, instead of asking anyone for permission.." another user said.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pepsi's now-deleted post about 'permission' sparks controversy. Why?

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