Democratic Representative Brad Sherman of California is facing scrutiny after images circulated online that appeared to show him viewing explicit content on a tablet during a flight. The photos, shared on X (formerly Twitter), showed the 71-year-old congressman seemingly engaged with images of women in minimal clothing. As of Saturday evening, the post had received over 12.4 million views.
In response to the allegations, Sherman’s spokesperson stated that the content was a result of the platform’s algorithm rather than intentional browsing. Sherman elaborated that the images appeared in the “For You” section of X, which displays recommended content based on user interests. He confirmed to Punchbowl News that while traveling, he accessed various posts, adding, “If you have to fly across the country, you look at a lot of stuff on your tablet.” He also expressed that while he might find pictures appealing, he does not consider them pornographic but acknowledged they may not be appropriate to view in public.
Criticism has emerged from various social media users, including Donald Trump Jr., who expressed his thoughts on the situation. Sherman countered by posting an edited picture referencing the Epstein files. Representative Nancy Mace also added her opinion, advocating for a more forgiving view of public behavior among lawmakers.
- Why it matters:
- This incident raises questions about social media use and privacy among public officials.
- Perceptions of appropriateness in public behavior could impact public trust in lawmakers.
- The latest: Sherman has maintained that the images were unintentional and a product of the social media platform’s algorithms.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democratic-rep-brad-sherman-denies-viewing-pornography-flight-viral-photos-surface-online
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democratic-rep-brad-sherman-denies-viewing-pornography-flight-viral-photos-surface-online