Fox News’ Jesse Watters is no stranger to controversy. But his latest declaration on masculinity—dropped casually during a segment of The Five—has managed to ignite a social media firestorm and fuel an ongoing cultural debate about gender norms, body image, and, surprisingly, Photoshop.

The Rule Heard Around the Internet

On the July 9 episode of The Five, co-hosts were discussing a now-deleted image shared by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Internet sleuths quickly noticed a distortion in the background, prompting speculation that Jeffries may have Photoshopped the image—specifically, to make his hips appear slimmer.

Enter Jesse Watters with his unsolicited “wisdom”:

“Rules for men: A man should never Photoshop his picture. Ever! A man who Photoshops his picture is a woman.”

“And you never shrink your hips. Why is he shrinking his hips? Does he have childbearing hips? What is it about his hips that he’s uncomfortable with? That’s the question,” Watters continued.

The moment, meant as a jab at Jeffries, quickly boomeranged back on Watters, drawing laughter, gasps, and immediate blowback across social media.

Mockery, Memes, and Masculinity

Within hours, “#ChildbearingHips” was trending on X (formerly Twitter), alongside memes showing Watters himself edited with exaggerated features—or ironically Photoshopped to look like a 90s boy band member.

“Can’t wait for Jesse Watters’ next rule: Men shouldn’t use Instagram filters either, it weakens testosterone,” one user joked.

Others questioned the logic—and the latent misogyny—behind Watters’ comments.

“Calling a man a ‘woman’ because he uses Photoshop isn’t just immature—it’s sexist,” tweeted political analyst Zerlina Maxwell. “Also, does Jesse realize the Photoshop industry is basically powered by men in advertising?”

Not His First “Man Rule” Rodeo

This isn’t Watters’ first foray into defining manhood for America. Over the past year, the host has released a string of “rules for men,” ranging from the eyebrow-raising to the flat-out bizarre. Among them:

“Never wear flip-flops in public.”

“A man should never eat salad at a restaurant.”

“Real men don’t take selfies. That’s for influencers.”

While his fans eat it up, critics argue these statements fuel outdated stereotypes and promote a brand of masculinity that’s less “alpha” and more “insecure.”

The Deeper Irony

Some observers couldn’t help but notice the irony of Watters—a polished TV anchor regularly seen under flattering studio lighting and likely makeup—calling out someone for altering an image.

“Bro, you’re literally Photoshopped every night on national TV,” one user quipped.
“You sit under three layers of powder and contour,” wrote another.

Even The Daily Show got in on the action, with a segment that mockingly offered “New Rules for Jesse Watters,” including: “Never wear makeup unless you’re emotionally prepared to talk about your feelings.”

What’s Really at Stake?

While Watters’ comments may appear like typical cable TV bluster, media experts argue these seemingly offhand remarks carry cultural weight.

“There’s a real danger when high-profile figures equate femininity with weakness or shame,” said Dr. Lisa Thompson, a sociologist at NYU specializing in gender studies.
“By ridiculing men who care about their appearance—or who might edit a photo—Watters reinforces the idea that ‘real men’ must conform to rigid, outdated norms.”

And in a year where body positivity, mental health, and gender inclusivity are finally gaining traction, many find Watters’ commentary not just tone-deaf, but regressive.

Watters Doubles Down

Despite the backlash, Watters hasn’t backed down. On a follow-up segment, he doubled down with his trademark smirk:

“If you want to be a man, act like one. Leave the filters to the Kardashians.”

He then laughed off the online response, claiming “the left has no sense of humor.”

What Comes Next?

With election season heating up and tensions running high, Jesse Watters is unlikely to tone down his rhetoric. If anything, this latest controversy may only embolden his on-air persona—and bring even more eyeballs to The Five.