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Eric Swalwell drops video, apologizes to wife AFTER insisting sexual assault allegations are ‘false’

April 11, 2026 | | Print Article

Confronting allegations head-on, California Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D) latest video included apologies as his own past remarks about belief came back to bite him.

Known for producing cringe clips of himself doing things like eating a taco, exercising, and hanging out in a pool, the gubernatorial hopeful racked up far more attention in a matter of hours over sexual assault allegations. Earning himself more than 2.2 million views overnight — as well as a brutal Community Note — Swalwell roped his own wife into his damage control with a public apology.

“A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations,” contended the congressman. “I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly. These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have.”

Countering the lawmaker’s framing, CNN was cited as a note that added context stated, “Eric Swalwell is accused of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment by women who worked for him. These are not merely ‘anonymous accusations.’ While some of the accusers have remained anonymous, others have come forward publicly.”

That report from CNN detailed that at least four women have come forward to accuse Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including one former staffer who alleged he “left her bruised and bleeding” after a 2024 incident and that, in 2019, she “woke up naked with him in a hotel room after a night of heavy drinking. She said she had no memory of what happened but could feel physically that they’d had sexual contact.”

CNN further reported that it “reviewed text messages she sent two friends describing her allegations at the same time,” where Swalwell was named. The alleged victim also provided the outlet with medical records to show she’d been tested for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Other allegations brought against the lawmaker accuse him of sending images and videos of his genitalia.

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In his video, the congressman insinuated that the allegations were timed to upset his chances at advancing in the race to be the next governor of California before he brought up his wife, recently reported to be the recipient of campaign funds for childcare services for their own kids.

“They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor in California. I do not suggest to you in anyway that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position,” he said as the claim denied numerous polls that showed the top spots in the crowded jungle primary belonging to the Republican candidates, commentator Steve Hilton, and Riverdale County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

“I also apologize to you if in any way you have doubted your support for me. But I think you know who I am,” the lawmaker suggested as he recapped his resume, including time as a prosecutor working “particularly on behalf of sexual assault victims.”

Of course, while some suggested friendly fire was at play and that the left’s political machine might be throwing Swalwell under the bus as an attempt to stave off the potential for a Republican victory in the fall, it remained that the congressman was among those who’d insisted on advancing false allegations in the past.

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In 2018, when Democrats were dragging then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh through the mud with sexual assault allegations, Swalwell sounded off as his posts included the message “100% #BelieveSurvivors.”

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Kevin Haggerty
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