CBS News Faces Backlash Over Swalwell Allegations

On Thursday, CBS News found itself in a bit of a predicament. The unfolding narrative suggests that they might be trying too hard to shield Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) from an impending wave of sexual misconduct allegations.

To give some context, a group of left-leaning activists, notably Gen Z member Cheyenne Hunt of Change, have been publicly asserting that multiple women have come forward with accusations against Swalwell. Hunt mentioned on social media that, since a video she posted, the number of women voicing their concerns has grown, and she’s been working with an investigative team to sort through the claims.

“It’s been quite surprising how many credible women have stepped forward since I shared that video,” Hunt said. “I’m confident this situation will be resolved in the near future.”

Hunt also pointed out that Swalwell’s office supposedly has non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in place. She noted that some women might have stayed quiet, thinking they had to abide by these NDAs. “It’s true that most NDAs are unenforceable in these circumstances,” she wrote, “but many don’t realize that until they talk to a lawyer.”

Other activists have echoed her thoughts, suggesting that more allegations against Swalwell are soon to emerge. However, Swalwell’s campaign has categorically denied any wrongdoing, blaming it on opposition from “MAGA” forces.

On Wednesday night, Swalwell himself was compelled to deny the claims. He also stated that his office has never required anyone to sign an NDA, a claim that could be easily verified.

This whole situation is unsettling, to say the least. But, interestingly, no woman has formally accused Swalwell of any misconduct yet. It’s a curious state of affairs—there’s a lot of chatter, but no concrete allegations have surfaced.

Now, in an ironic twist, Swalwell, who has often been criticized for spreading misinformation, faces scrutiny himself. While it’s somewhat amusing to think about, it does put him in a bind—after all, he’s denying something that hasn’t been officially claimed against him.

Meanwhile, CBS News has heavily invested in defending Swalwell, almost treating the allegations raised by Hunt in the same light as Swalwell’s initial claims, despite lacking concrete proof. They even insinuated a link between Hunt and former Rep. Katie Porter, who is also running against Swalwell in the gubernatorial race.

Porter’s campaign firmly denied any connection between her and Hunt. An article attempted to piece together a narrative around their relationship by mentioning minor overlaps in their timelines without presenting any real evidence. The mindset seems a bit off—drawing vast conclusions from scant information. To be fair, UC Irvine has thousands of students, and knowing a few doesn’t imply a conspiracy.

The article further attempts to demonstrate ties by referencing Hunt’s past internship with another Democratic senator, but that, too, misses the mark since Swalwell was also serving at that time.

If you dig deeper, it becomes clear that much of this speculation is flimsy. The evidence presented feels more like a stretch than a solid argument against either Hunt or Porter.

So the story continues to unfold. Buckle up, because this seems far from over.