Rep. Eric Swalwell, facing a restless crowd in Sacramento on Tuesday night, flatly rejected a wave of social media claims that he had affairs with staffers, calling them "false" and insisting he has never had a sexual relationship with an intern or staff member. The congressman, now running for California governor, fielded repeated, pointed questions about the online accusations as he tried to keep his campaign on track at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, frequently invoking his family and his record in office.
Campaign pushes back
Swalwell's campaign fired back at the rumors in a written statement, labeling them "false" and "outrageous" and stressing that no one in his congressional office has ever been asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement, according to the Los Angeles Times. The campaign spokesperson also noted that, in Swalwell's 13 years in Congress, there have been no ethics complaints from staff, and framed the sudden spike in posts as a politically motivated effort timed to hit just ahead of California's June 2 primary.
What he said at the town hall
At the Sacramento town hall, Swalwell told attendees the social media allegations were untrue and said neither his congressional office nor his campaign had contacted anyone posting the claims, according to the New York Post. The outlet reported that hundreds of people filled the Scottish Rite Masonic Center as Swalwell repeated, "I have never had a sexual relationship with a staffer or intern." Audience members also pressed him on where he actually lives and his history of staying in residences outside his district, lines of questioning that his team has been hustling to address throughout the month.
Background and stakes
The latest posts have been boosted by social media influencers and highly partisan accounts, landing on top of other controversies that have dogged Swalwell this year, according to the Los Angeles Times. The paper notes earlier fights over his residency and previous scrutiny tied to an alleged foreign operative. Swalwell and his allies maintain that those matters were reviewed and did not result in charges. Campaign officials have also signaled they may consider legal action if they believe the online accusations cross the line into targeted defamation.
What to watch
With the June 2 primary now less than two months away, the unverified allegations risk complicating an already crowded Democratic field and could pressure rivals to take public positions. For the moment, Swalwell's camp is sticking to a firm denial, urging voters to focus on his record while journalists work to verify, or debunk, the flurry of social media claims. This story will be updated as more independently sourced reporting becomes available.
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