Senator Gallego Denies Involvement in Video Allegedly Showing Rep. Swalwell

Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona firmly rejected claims that he appears in a controversial video circulating on social media that allegedly shows Representative Eric Swalwell with a woman in bed.

“This is an example of the lies. No, I was not sitting next to him, I was not in the room, I was nowhere, I don’t even know where it happened,” Gallego told reporters on Tuesday, addressing rumors that had gained traction online.

The Arizona senator went further, condemning what he described as a coordinated misinformation effort. “Right-wing political operatives are pushing this narrative that somehow I was in that room with Eric Swalwell, and that is an absolute lie.”

The video at the center of the controversy appears to show someone resembling Swalwell, a California Democrat, kissing a woman on a bed, with another man present. While the footage has spread across social media platforms in recent days, its authenticity, origin, and context remain unverified.

When contacted by Newsweek about the allegations, Swalwell, 45, declined to engage, stating: “I have no comment on anything—period—and I’m going to hang up now.”

This controversy emerges at a particularly tumultuous time for Swalwell, who announced his resignation from Congress on Monday following multiple sexual assault allegations. The announcement also marked his withdrawal from California’s competitive gubernatorial race.

In his resignation statement posted to social media, Swalwell acknowledged personal failings while maintaining his innocence regarding the most serious accusations: “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”

Swalwell, a seven-term congressman, added that it would be “wrong” to remain in office while distracted from his duties to constituents. Though he did not specify an exact departure date, California election law requires Governor Gavin Newsom to call a special election within 14 days after the vacancy officially occurs.

The allegations against Swalwell are substantial and growing. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a former employee accused him of sexual assault in two separate incidents—one in 2019 during her employment with him and another in 2024. The woman reportedly stated she was too intoxicated to consent in both instances and feared she would not be believed if she reported the incidents to law enforcement.

The situation intensified Tuesday when California resident Lonna Drewes publicly accused Swalwell of raping her in 2018 at a Southern California hotel. During a news conference, Drewes alleged that Swalwell drugged her after she had a glass of wine. “I did not consent to any sexual activity,” she stated, adding that she plans to file a report with law enforcement.

CNN has also reported that multiple women have come forward with accusations that Swalwell sent them explicit messages and nude photographs.

Before Swalwell announced his resignation, the House Ethics Committee had already launched an investigation into whether he engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee under his supervision.

The rapid downfall of Swalwell, once considered a rising Democratic star who briefly sought the party’s 2020 presidential nomination, represents a significant shift in his political trajectory. His departure creates another vacancy in the House of Representatives, where Democrats are working to regain the majority in November’s elections.

As the investigations continue, both the allegations against Swalwell and the video circulating online underscore the increasingly complex intersection of politics, personal conduct, and social media in today’s political landscape.