Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman denies viewing pornography on flight after viral photos surface online
Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman has found himself at the center of a social media storm after images surfaced, allegedly showing him viewing explicit content on a tablet during a flight. The photos, which were shared on X (formerly Twitter), depict the 71-year-old congressman with a shocked expression while scrolling through images of women in underwear. One post questioning Sherman’s judgment garnered over 12.4 million views, igniting a wave of backlash and commentary across the platform. Critics quickly seized the opportunity to voice their opinions, with notable figures such as Donald Trump Jr. chiming in, remarking, “Yikes!!!!” in response to the viral images.
In the face of this controversy, Sherman has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that the images were not of his choosing but rather part of the algorithmic recommendations on his X feed. A spokesperson for Sherman explained that the content was simply a result of the platform’s “For You” section, which curates posts based on user engagement. Sherman himself elaborated on this point, stating that the images appeared during his cross-country flight while he was browsing various posts. He acknowledged that while he might linger on certain images longer than others, he does not consider the content to be pornography. When pressed about the appropriateness of viewing such material in a public setting, Sherman conceded that while it may not be deemed appropriate, he does not believe it qualifies as explicit in the eyes of the platform’s owner, Elon Musk.
The fallout from this incident has not only highlighted Sherman’s predicament but has also sparked broader discussions about the conduct of public figures and the implications of social media algorithms. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, weighed in on the situation, suggesting that the scrutiny faced by Sherman should not overshadow her own controversies regarding conduct in public spaces. As the story continues to unfold, it raises questions about the responsibilities of elected officials in the digital age and the potential consequences of their online behavior. The incident serves as a reminder of the power of social media in shaping narratives and public perception, particularly when it comes to the actions of those in positions of authority.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCKYRGcZlEc
Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman
is firing back after photos went viral appearing to show him viewing explicit images on a tablet while aboard a flight, prompting swift online backlash.
Images
posted to X
Friday appeared to show the California congressman, 71, staring at a tablet with his mouth agape while scrolling through photos of women in their underwear.
“Why did California Congressman Brad Sherman feel it was appropriate to look at porn on his iPad during a flight today?” one X post said.
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The post had amassed 12.4 million views as of Saturday evening.
Sherman denied the allegations, and a spokesperson for the congressman told Fox News Digital the pictures appeared because of his algorithm on X, formerly Twitter.
“This was nothing more than scrolling through Twitter, and, unfortunately, Elon Musk has ruined the Twitter algorithm to give people content that they don’t ask for or subscribe to,” a spokesperson for Sherman told Fox News Digital in an email.
Sherman similarly told Punchbowl News the images appeared on his X feed under the “For You” section of X, a page that shows recommended content.
“This was
on Twitter
. These pictures came up on ‘For You’,” Sherman told Punchbowl News, adding he viewed a variety of posts during his cross-country flight.
“If you have to fly across the country, you look at a lot of stuff on your tablet,” he said.
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“If I see a picture of a woman, might I look at it longer than a sunset? Yeah.”
When asked whether he thought the content was appropriate to view on a plane, Sherman told Punchbowl News, “Is it pornography? I don’t think
Elon Musk
thinks so. Is it appropriate? No.”
The images quickly drew widespread reactions across social media.
Donald Trump Jr.
responded to the viral post with, “Yikes!!!!”
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Firing back at Donald Trump Jr., Sherman posted an edited version of the photo showing his iPad screen replaced with the words, “Release the Epstein files.”
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.
, also weighed in, writing, “I don’t want to hear a single peep from anyone in/around Congress, or the media, [about] how I stroll through an airport ever again.”
Mace recently demanded the resignation of Charleston Airport CEO Elliot Summey and threatened legal action after airport officials accused her of mistreating staff.
X did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
