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Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) has vigorously denied allegations that he was viewing pornography on a cross-country flight, after a series of viral photos appeared online showing him allegedly scrolling through explicit images on his tablet. The controversy has ignited a social media firestorm, forcing the veteran lawmaker to issue a public defense.
The Viral Photos and Denials
Images of the 71-year-old Congressman, seemingly absorbed by content displaying women in revealing attire, were posted to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. The posts quickly garnered millions of views, prompting swift political backlash and demands for an explanation regarding the appropriateness of the content.
In response, a spokesperson for Rep. Sherman offered a clear denial, shifting the focus to the platform’s content delivery system.
“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,” the spokesperson stated.
Sherman himself echoed this defense, explaining that the images appeared within the personalized “For You” section of the platform, a feed designed to recommend content based on user engagement.
Sherman’s Explanation and Admission
Speaking to reporters, Congressman Sherman detailed his activity during the long flight.
“This was on Twitter. These pictures came up on ‘For You’,” Sherman confirmed, adding that cross-country flights often involve extensive tablet use. He acknowledged looking at the photos but stopped short of defining them as pornography.
“If I see a picture of a woman, might I look at it longer than a sunset? Yeah,” Sherman commented. When directly questioned about the content’s appropriateness for an airplane setting, he responded, “Is it pornography? I don’t think Elon Musk thinks so. Is it appropriate? No.”
Political Reactions and Digital Warfare
The incident quickly escalated into a political skirmish online.
- Donald Trump Jr. was among the most prominent figures to weigh in, posting a single, critical word: “Yikes!!!!”
- Sherman fired back at his critics, posting an edited version of the viral photo where the explicit images on the tablet screen were replaced with text demanding, “Release the Epstein files.” This tactic successfully redirected some of the conversation toward a high-profile political issue.
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) also leveraged the moment to comment on the intense scrutiny faced by members of Congress regarding their public conduct.
The viral incident highlights the increasing role that platform algorithms play in public life, demonstrating how unsolicited content can become an immediate source of political controversy and social media outrage for public figures. X has not yet responded to the Congressman’s claims regarding its “For You” algorithm.
Aleda Kawis is the Professional Journalist and serving in the field since 2012. She keeps extensive experience as investigating journalist and media influencer.
