Caught In The Clouds: Rep. Brad Sherman Blames X Algorithm For In-Flight Scandal

Unexpected Turbulence in the Skies

Seems like algorithms can take you on quite an unexpected ride – at least that's what California Rep. Brad Sherman is claiming. The congressman found himself in some mid-air turbulence of a different kind when photos surfaced of him seemingly engrossed in risqué images on his iPad during a flight. But before the rumor mill could take off, Sherman was quick to clear the air, attributing the scandalous snaps to an overzealous social media algorithm.

A fellow passenger turned paparazzo captured Sherman in this eyebrow-raising moment and shared the snapshots via the "Dear White Staffers" account on X (formerly known as Twitter). The post, insinuating that Sherman was watching adult content, went viral, amassing over 13.7 million views within just 24 hours. Talk about high-flying drama!

A Scroll Down Scandal Lane?

Sherman, who has a noteworthy history in California politics, was said to be caught off guard when his "For You" feed on X presented a series of suggestive images. "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," stated a spokesperson on behalf of the 71-year-old lawmaker.

In a conversation with Punchbowl News, Sherman maintained his innocence, emphasizing that he was merely a victim of the algorithm's whims. Reflecting the sentiment that many Angelenos might agree with, he quipped, "If you have to fly across the country, you look at a lot of stuff on your tablet. If I see a picture of a woman, might I look at it longer than a sunset? Yeah," he admitted candidly.

The Great Algorithm Debate

Sherman has been steadfast in denying any deliberate engagement with adult content, stressing that the images were a result of an out-of-control "For You" page. While the images in question didn't feature full nudity, they clearly bordered on scandalous, leading to questions about the appropriateness of viewing such content openly in a public space like a flight.

When questioned on whether these images were appropriate, Sherman responded with a touch of SoCal irreverence, "Is it pornography? I don’t think Elon Musk thinks so. Is it appropriate? No." This incident draws attention not just to the quirks of social media algorithms but also to the broader conversation about digital content consumption in public spaces.