The gubernatorial ambitions of Rep. Eric Swalwell are in a total free-fall. Already reeling from a bombshell San Francisco Chronicle report alleging multiple counts of sexual assault, the California Democrat now faces a fresh wave of humiliation.
On Sunday, April 12, 2026, former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli released a viral video allegedly showing the married congressman in an intimate encounter with a woman who is not his wife.
The footage, which Shkreli claims was taken inside Swalwell’s home, appears to show the congressman sitting on a bed and kissing a woman identified by Shkreli's sources as a sex worker.
"This guy is FINISHED!" wrote commentator Nick Sortor as the clip swept through social media.
While the authenticity of the video remains under scrutiny, its timing has proven fatal for a campaign that was already on life support.
The week began with a former staffer coming forward with harrowing claims that Swalwell raped her on two separate occasions once in 2019 and again in 2024 while she was too intoxicated to consent.
Since then, three additional women have told CNN stories of unsolicited explicit images and harassment.
The political fallout has been absolute: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi, and Adam Schiff have all withdrawn their support, calling for an immediate end to his campaign; top consultants and senior campaign staffers have resigned in "disgust," leaving the campaign office a ghost town; and powerhouse groups like the California Teachers Association and SEIU California have officially rescinded their endorsements.
Swalwell released a visibly shaken video statement late Friday, vehemently denying the assault claims but issuing a groveling apology to his wife, Brittany Watts, for "mistakes in judgment."
However, with the resurfacing of his past ties to Chinese spy Fang Fang and this new video evidence, the "fighter" image Swalwell spent millions to build has dissolved.
For the man who once aimed for the Governor’s mansion, the only remaining question seems to be when, not if, he will exit the race.