Democratic Representative Brad Sherman is facing scrutiny after a photo surfaced showing him seemingly looking at explicit images on a tablet while on a plane, leading to a backlash on social media.
On Friday, an image was shared on X (formerly Twitter) that caught the California congressman’s surprised expression as he scrolled through photos of women in their underwear. The post generated significant attention, amassing about 12.4 million views by Saturday evening.
Sherman has refuted the claims about the nature of what he was looking at, with a representative stating that the content was a result of the platform’s algorithm. “This was just scrolling through Twitter,” the spokesperson explained via email, emphasizing that the content was not something Sherman specifically sought out.
In a conversation with Punchbowl News, Sherman mentioned that the image appeared in his “For You” section, which showcases suggested posts. He added, “When you’re flying cross-country, you end up looking at a lot of stuff on your tablet.”
He also acknowledged the curiosity surrounding the images, saying, “If I see a picture of a woman, can I look at it longer than the sunset? Yes.” When asked whether he deemed it appropriate viewing on a plane, he hesitated, suggesting it might not be inappropriate to some, yet still acknowledging that it might not be suitable.
The incident incited a range of reactions online, including a response from Donald Trump Jr., who simply remarked, “Yay!”
In response to Trump Jr., Sherman shared an edited version of the original image, reimagining the tablet’s screen with the phrase “Release the Epstein Files.” Additionally, Congresswoman Nancy Mace expressed her discomfort, implying that no one should face scrutiny in public spaces, especially in airports.
X has not yet provided any comment on the situation.
