Former congressman Eric Swalwell, who has faced significant scandal, continues to use Snapchat for private discussions, even after it played a role in ending his political career.
This information emerged from a New York Times article published on Friday, which scrutinized Swalwell’s activities on social media.
The report noted, “Mr. Swalwell still uses Snapchat, as recently as this week,” adding that he directly reached out to a former intern on the platform, questioning him about screenshots of their chats.
While details were shared through images, the newspaper clarified that the recent exchanges were not sexual.
Swalwell has been accused by at least six women—some publicly and others anonymously—of various forms of misconduct. These range from sexual assault to inappropriate behavior at work and unsolicited explicit messages, with some allegations tied to interactions on Snapchat that reportedly involved sexual content and images.
A key accusation came from a former staff member who, at the time of their interactions, was 21 while Swalwell was 38. She recounted how their professional relationship transitioned into private messaging on Snapchat, where he allegedly began sending her sexual comments and explicit photos, including ones of himself.
She discussed how Swalwell’s support for her work included planning events and transporting him around his district, eventually leading to more personal communications. She indicated that despite finding the attention flattering, it felt troubling given the inherent power imbalance.
The woman’s mother later relayed to CNN that her daughter had raised concerns about an inappropriate Snapchat conversation with Swalwell, although she initially did not know the details were sexual in nature.
Because Snapchat messages automatically delete, former staff members stated they lack any screenshots or records from these conversations.
Many perceive this disappearing message feature as a sign of secrecy, with Snapchat sometimes viewed as a “cheating app,” leading some to see it as a potential red flag.
A former staff member described Swalwell as two different personas—“the Snapchat guy” and “my boss”—which illustrates the stark contrast in his behavior.
Beyond these allegations, Swalwell faces scrutiny regarding his campaign finances, with questions raised about non-active campaign expenditures on travel, accommodation, food, and other related costs.
Swalwell, however, has categorically denied all allegations and has yet to face any criminal charges in connection with them.
