'Move over microplastics': Fox News mocked for claiming Bluesky rots brains

The hosts of the Fox News show "Outnumbered" were mocked on Thursday after they called for more restrictions on an app they argued could soften an individual's brain tissue.

Emily Compagno, an attorney and co-host of the show, reacted to a new op-ed that claimed the alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter, Cole Allen, was often on social media apps like Bluesky that are influenced by America's enemies, such as Russia and China. Compagno argued that the algorithms used on Bluesky and other apps are similar to a brain impairment.

"China and Russia classify ... these types of digital platforms and algorithms because they attribute it to a judgment impairment, a softening of your literal brain tissue," she said. "That is all you need to know about the insidiousness of these platforms."

Political analysts and observers chimed in on social media, arguing that watching Fox News can have the same effect.

"Move over lead and microplastics! We got a new brain softener in town," film critic April Wolfe posted on Bluesky.

"I'm actually willing to believe that the folks at Fox News' 'Outnumbered' all have hardened brain tissue, to be fair," Craig Harrington, a political and media researcher, posted on Bluesky.

"Love how this actually makes the case FOR Bluesky and our lack of algorithm," Kate Glenn, a political commentator, posted on Bluesky.

"Love to get my brain softened by Bluesky dot app," art critic Kevin Buist posted on Bluesky.