California congressman Eric Swalwell saw a rapid political collapse this week after multiple women came forward with sexual-misconduct allegations, endorsements evaporated, investigators opened probes, and a wealthy donor who had sheltered him cut ties and said he was no longer welcome.
What began as a promising run toward the governor’s office ended in a scramble to contain fallout when allegations of rape, sexual assault, and other misconduct surfaced and were amplified across social platforms and conservative outlets. Supporters withdrew, legal inquiries started, and his campaign could not withstand the mounting pressure. Republican leaders and rank-and-file conservatives pointed to the episode as a further sign of the failures inside California’s political culture.
Manhattan prosecutors reportedly initiated inquiries while members of Congress discussed whether to pursue expulsion. Calls for accountability came fast and from multiple directions, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna indicated she would move to expel him. Faced with that political and legal squeeze, Swalwell abruptly abandoned his gubernatorial bid late Sunday.
Even his high-profile financial backer moved on. The billionaire who had hosted Swalwell in his Los Angeles residence publicly severed support and said he had removed Swalwell from his home. That public break raised questions about judgment on both sides, as critics argued it underscored a culture of coziness between powerful insiders and politicians who think rules don’t apply to them.
Lefty billionaire Stephen Cloobeck dramatically cut ties with Eric Swalwell and revealed he has kicked him out of his mansion — hours before the congressman dropped his run for California governor.
“I am no longer supporting Eric,” Cloobeck told The Post in an exclusive interview. “F—ing tell everyone I’m a libertarian. F— you, Democrat Party. I’m a libertarian now.”
The ugly break-up between the timeshare mogul and Bay Area congressman — who pulled out of the governor’s race late Sunday — marks yet another stunning point in Swalwell’s cratering political career.
That donor reportedly had spent more than $1 million backing Swalwell, funding independent groups and offering a high-visibility refuge where the congressman recorded a forceful denial video. Whether that million-dollar bet can be recovered is unclear, but the optics of a powerful donor hosting an embattled lawmaker set off criticism from both sides of the aisle. Conservatives seized on it as an example of entitlement among California Democrats.
Beyond the donor drama, multiple women came forward with disturbing accounts that prompted the Manhattan district attorney to take a closer look. There are serious questions now about Swalwell’s conduct while in public life and what oversight existed among those who endorsed and enabled him. Republicans argued this was not an isolated scandal but a symptom of a broader pattern of tolerance for misconduct in certain political circles.
Complicating matters, the donor’s personal life has drawn scrutiny as well, with reports about a fiancée who has been accused of burglary in other wealthy Los Angeles households. Critics pointed out that those associations raise their own red flags, and that both the donor and the congressman should answer tough questions about judgment and influence. Political accountability requires transparency, and there are still many unanswered questions.
Following public allegations Friday of rape, sexual assault and other sexual misconduct made by several women who knew or worked for Swalwell, the Bay Area congressman lost most of his endorsements, he’s potentially facing expulsion from Congress and become the subject of a criminal investigation.
Cloobeck spent more than $1 million supporting Swalwell’s candidacy, and the embattled congressman filmed his denial video Friday from inside the billionaire’s palatial Beverly Hills mansion.
Cloobeck confirmed Swalwell was no longer staying with him and the billionaire’s alleged honeytrapper fiancée, who has been accused of burglarizing the homes of other rich, old men in Los Angeles.
“I have a lot of people who stay at my house,” Cloobeck said with a laugh. “I built a gorgeous place, my dream home, I relish it, and I’m a very generous man. I’m very thoughtful and I’m very kind.”
He added that he would need to talk with his attorney to see if can claw back the $1 million he gave an independent committee supporting Swalwell.
There are numerous posts and clips making rounds on social media that allege details about Swalwell’s behavior, and while not every item is independently verified, the collective storm has been devastating to his standing. Republican commentators noted how quickly endorsements vanished and how little resistance there was from institutions that once stood by him. His rapid fall illustrated how vulnerable politicians are when credible allegations surface and the public demands accountability.
California’s political environment is part of the context here, where entrenched networks and heavy donor influence can shield figures until allegations make that protection untenable. “California is the poster child for everything that is wrong with the Democrat Party and the “progressive” movement.” That line captures why many conservatives see this episode as emblematic of a deeper rot. The details still matter: lawful investigations should proceed, and political actors must face the consequences of their actions.
How quickly fortunes can turn in politics was on full display: endorsements rescinded, a campaign suspended, and a donor publicly disavowing a once-favored ally. For voters watching from both parties, the case is a reminder that power without accountability invites collapse, and that elected officials need to answer for their conduct under oath and in public arenas.
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