Overview
- Photos first posted by the X account @dearwhitestaff showed Sherman looking at sexualized images on a tablet during a flight and quickly went viral on November 14–15.
- In comments to Punchbowl News, Sherman denied intentionally viewing pornography or having a pornography problem and said the images surfaced because of algorithms.
- X describes its 'For You' feed as serving recommended posts based on accounts followed, topics of interest, popularity and engagement, framing the context for his explanation.
- Political reaction was swift as White House communications director Steven Cheung mocked Sherman and other Republicans weighed in; Sherman responded online by urging the Trump administration to release the Epstein files.
- Sherman, a California Democrat who has served since 1997, acknowledged the conduct was not appropriate, and no formal House ethics action has been reported as of Saturday.