Overview
- Doctored screenshots claiming an explicit DM exchange between O’Neal and Carpenter spread widely across social platforms and entertainment sites.
- O’Neal addressed the thread on his Big Podcast, read the crude lines aloud, and denied sending any messages.
- Guests on the show warned about AI and editing tools, and a cohost noted the sender photo was photoshopped to look like O’Neal.
- Major outlets have framed the exchange as fake, with some reports tracing the post to a parody Instagram account called @nba_flames.
- Carpenter has not commented, and reporters said her representatives did not respond to inquiries as of the latest coverage.