Swalwell once dubbed ‘Snapchat king of Congress’ amid sexual misconduct claims
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Disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was once dubbed the “Snapchat king of Congress” years before his career was derailed by newly revealed sexual misconduct allegations.
Swalwell was forced to resign from Congress and suspend his bid for governor of California following damning reports involving allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Swalwell has vehemently denied the allegations of wrongdoing in public statements but has admitted to acting inappropriately outside of his marriage in the past.
Among the allegations Swalwell faces is that he sent unsolicited photos of his genitals to women he met in professional settings via Snapchat, the popular social media platform known for allowing messages and images to disappear.
‘THE VIEW’ CO-CO-CLAIM THAT HE PERSONALLY WITNESSED SWALWELL’S PROBLEM BEHAVIOR
Disgraced Congressman Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was dubbed the “Snapchat king of Congress” years before his use of the platform was dragged into a sexual misconduct scandal. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
In 2016, Swalwell was the subject of a glowing report from The Hill by tech journalist Taylor Lorenz about his use of the platform, which was then rarely used by politicians.
“Imagine the typical Snapchat user and you probably don’t think of a 35-year-old, hard-line congressman from California,” Lorenz began his report. “But within a few months, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) quickly found success with the app, using the platform to connect with voters and grow his base.”
“The result is an entertaining publication of short videos, photos, and an unfiltered look into the daily life of a congresswoman. She photographs her daily commutes, shoots videos from her hometown in Northern California, and documents her daily meetings as a representative of California’s 15th district.” wrote.
REP. LUNA WARNES ABOUT POSSIBLE JAIL TIME FOR ERIC SWALWELL AFTER ALLEGED SERIOUS CRIME
Swalwell was forced to resign from Congress and suspend his California gubernatorial campaign following mounting allegations of sexual harassment. (Matei Horvath/Getty Images for California Environmental Voters)
In his interview with Lorenz, Swalwell said “most of our voters” are on Snapchat, not just “young people.”
“That’s when I realized a lot of people were really going there to get news, to stay in touch with their friends, just for cool, fun, interesting stuff,” Swalwell said at the time. “We just realized this is another way to communicate directly with voters.”
“People now come up to me at the grocery store or in our community and say, ‘Hey, I liked your Snapchat,’” Swalwell told Lorenz, boasting about her growing number of followers on the platform.
“I want people at home to know that I have not forgotten my responsibility to share what I do here as the person they elected,” the former lawmaker said.
EXPERTS WARNED THAT SWALWELL’S INCREASED SEXUAL MANAGEMENT ALLEGATIONS THREATEN HIS CAREER BEYOND POLITICS
Technology reporter Taylor Lorenz noted Swalwell’s prolific use of Snapchat in 2016. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
According to the report, Swalwell offered “personal Snapchat lessons” to his colleagues on Capitol Hill and even “carried around a stack of homemade Snapchat flyers that he handed out on the House floor.”
“It may seem strange that a member of Congress would be so enamored with a social media messaging app, but Swalwell says he is passionate about mobile technology and the opportunities it provides,” Lorenz wrote.
Looking back at her report almost a decade later, Lorenz told Fox News Digital: “I am horrified and disgusted by the stories that have emerged about his behavior. The allegation that someone in his position of power used social media to groom young women is deeply disturbing. I think we’re all reading this story about his Snapchat use in a new light.”
Swalwell’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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