Eric Swalwell’s Cringeworthy TikTok Rant Blows Up Online [WATCH]

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) posted a TikTok video on Saturday in an apparent attempt to push a new Democratic messaging strategy—using profanity and social media theatrics to attack President Donald Trump.

The video quickly drew widespread criticism online, with many mocking Swalwell’s approach and questioning his intent.

In the video, a bleary-eyed Swalwell holds his phone in selfie mode and opens with, “What a f**king week, huh? You know how weird this week was?”

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He then makes a sarcastic reference to President Trump’s recent address to Congress.

“I went to the State of the Union, and the president didn’t even speak. He just sat up in the visitor’s gallery like a total weirdo and let his press secretary do all the talking,” Swalwell said, referring to Elon Musk in an attempt to portray him as the real decision-maker in the administration.

The comments were an apparent attempt to fuel ongoing efforts by some Democrats and media figures to create tension between Trump and Musk.

Eric Swalwell calls Elon Musk “a total weirdo”

This is the dude who slept with a Chinese spy and farted on TV pic.twitter.com/PxMGlCYgcs

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 9, 2025

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However, the video backfired, with social media users overwhelmingly ridiculing Swalwell rather than engaging with his message.

Swalwell’s video quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons, with commenters on both TikTok and X roasting the congressman.

“He’s one of those guys who thinks he (is) hot,” one user commented. “But he is not.”

Another wrote, “The dude looks high as a kite in this video. Eric is very weird.”

The dude looks high as a kite in this video

Eric is very weird.

— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) March 9, 2025

A different commenter mocked Swalwell’s setting, saying, “Says the guy taking a creepy selfie video from what appears to be a bathroom stall in a middle school. Sure dude. We’re the weird ones.”

Says the guy taking a creepy selfie video from what appears to be a bathrrom stall in a middle school. Sure dude. We’re the weird ones.

— Bobby (@TheB_Dunks) March 9, 2025

Swalwell has long been a polarizing figure, frequently drawing scrutiny over past controversies.

One of the most well-documented is his connection to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, Fang Fang, who helped fundraise for him and allegedly placed an intern in his congressional office.

While Swalwell has denied wrongdoing, he has not directly addressed speculation that the relationship was personal.

Beyond that, Swalwell has gained attention for several other unusual incidents.

In 2019, he was accused of passing gas on live television during an MSNBC interview, a moment that went viral with the nickname “Fartgate.”

He has also posted shirtless photos of himself while riding a camel in Qatar alongside fellow Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and has even portrayed himself as a superhero in comic book-themed campaign material.

Swalwell’s TikTok post is part of a broader Democratic effort to use social media stunts and profanity-laced attacks to push back against Trump’s administration.

The trend has been seen in other Democratic figures attempting to connect with younger audiences in unconventional ways, often to mixed results.

Despite these tactics, Trump’s policies remain the focus of national discussion, with his recent speech to Congress laying out his administration’s plans.

As Swalwell’s video failed to gain traction beyond mockery, the question remains whether Democrats will continue using this approach or if they will shift to a more substantive response to Trump’s agenda.

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