Swalwell Scandal Exposes Media's Partisan Bias

Legacy media accused of protecting disgraced Democratic congressman for years

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:50pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and fractured lines in shades of blue, grey, and black, representing the fragmented and biased state of modern journalism.The Swalwell scandal exposes the partisan bias that has eroded public trust in the mainstream media.Alameda Today

A new report reveals that journalists were aware of allegations of inappropriate behavior by former California Congressman Eric Swalwell for years, but failed to report on them due to the Democrat's prominence within the party. This latest example highlights the collapse of trust in legacy media institutions, which are increasingly seen as prioritizing partisan interests over impartial journalism.

Why it matters

The Swalwell scandal is the latest in a series of incidents that have eroded public confidence in the mainstream media. Critics argue that journalists have abandoned their role as watchdogs, instead choosing to protect prominent Democrats from scrutiny while aggressively covering stories that could damage Republicans. This partisan bias has contributed to the dramatic decline in trust in media institutions across the political spectrum.

The details

According to reports, several journalists admitted they were aware of rumors and allegations regarding Swalwell's behavior towards women as early as 2013, when he was first elected to Congress. However, they chose not to investigate or report on the issue, even as Swalwell rose to prominence as a vocal critic of former President Trump and a leader of the 'resistance' movement. The decision to bury the story is seen as emblematic of a broader trend in legacy media, where journalists prioritize protecting their ideological allies over holding all public figures accountable.

  • Swalwell was first elected to Congress in 2013, when reports of his alleged inappropriate behavior began circulating.
  • In 2020, a reporter at Politico was reportedly working to verify rumors about Swalwell, but the story was dropped after he withdrew from the presidential race.
  • The allegations against Swalwell resurfaced in 2026, leading to his resignation from Congress.

The players

Eric Swalwell

A former Democratic Congressman from California who was accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior towards women, an open secret that was allegedly known by local officials and the media for years.

Bethany Allen

A reporter who claimed she heard information about Swalwell's behavior in 2020 while working at Axios, but did not report on it.

David Dayen

The executive editor of the American Prospect, who stated that Swalwell's conduct with interns, young staff, and female fans was an open secret for a long time, but the Democratic party continued to support him.

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What they’re saying

“The truth, which will be available for all to see before long, is that Swalwell's conduct with interns, young staff, and female fans was an open secret for a long time, and yet the party...had been supporting him and raising money for him.”

— David Dayen, Executive Editor, American Prospect

“A reporter with Politico was working on verifying the rumors on Swalwell when he was running for President. Two days before he was scheduled to sit down with this reporter Swalwell dropped out of the race. The energy disappeared to potentially take him out, the victims if they were even willing to go on the record never did.”

— Anonymous Democrat Strategist

“shortly after being elected to Congress in 2013, [Swalwell's] behavior towards women was known by all levels of our local government and the Alameda County Democratic Party.”

— Anonymous California-based Journalist

What’s next

As the fallout from the Swalwell scandal continues, there are calls for a deeper examination of the media's role in protecting prominent Democrats from scrutiny. Some have suggested that this incident could lead to a broader reckoning within the journalism industry about the need to uphold impartiality and hold all public figures accountable, regardless of their political affiliation.

The takeaway

The Swalwell scandal has laid bare the partisan bias that has infected much of the mainstream media, where journalists prioritize protecting their ideological allies over fulfilling their duty to inform the public. This latest example of media malfeasance has further eroded public trust, raising serious questions about the future of journalism and its role in a healthy democracy.