Journalisming: WaPo Mystified About Why No One Ever Noticed That Swalwell Was a Creeper
The column argues that news organizations failed to scrutinize allegations and rumors about Swalwell’s conduct.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYPJ Media is an opinion-oriented outlet, and this article is a columnist’s argument rather than a reported investigation. Its strongly partisan framing and lack of direct response or corroborating evidence limit its institutional credibility for this story.
- Source type — Opinion-first publisher; this piece is explicitly a columnist’s commentary.
- Editorial standards — The article makes broad claims about media conduct without documenting an independent reporting process.
- Source selection — The column cites a news report and a quoted former staffer but does not seek or include responses from the subjects it criticizes.
- Author attribution — A named author is identified, providing clear authorship.
The column identifies a news report and quotes a named source, but relies heavily on the author’s assertions and charged language. It offers little independent corroboration, context, or response from Swalwell or the newspaper being criticized.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article presents a sustained critique of The Washington Post and other media, using one quoted source and the columnist’s assertions. It includes no response from Swalwell or the newspaper and does not examine alternative explanations for the coverage.
- Counterarguments presented — No response from Swalwell or The Washington Post is included.
- Loaded language — Repeatedly uses insults and accusatory descriptions of journalists, Democrats, and Swalwell.
- Source diversity — The piece cites one former staffer and a referenced Washington Post article, alongside the columnist’s own claims.
- Opinion vs reporting — The article is explicitly an opinion column and advances a clear verdict about media conduct.
The column uses strongly anti-Democratic and pro-Trump framing, with disparaging descriptions of Democrats and the mainstream press. Its language and selected examples consistently support a conservative critique.
- Language tone — Uses insults and sweeping condemnations of Democrats and journalists.
- Framing — Frames the coverage as media complicity with Democrats and as a failure to scrutinize a Trump critic.
- Source selection — Relies on a former staffer’s comment and the author’s assertions, without presenting countervailing perspectives.
Stephen Kruiser argues that The Washington Post and other media failed to report on longstanding rumors about Representative Eric Swalwell, citing a former staffer who described his reputation as an “open secret.” The column accuses the press of overlooking the allegations because Swalwell criticized Donald Trump.
Kruiser criticizes The Washington Post’s account of Swalwell’s fall, arguing that reports of inappropriate behavior toward women had circulated for years. The column quotes Cheyenne Hunt, a former Capitol Hill staffer and Gen Z for Change executive director, saying she was warned to stay away from Swalwell and that his reputation as a “creep” was well known. These are reported allegations and characterizations, not independently established findings in the column.
Kruiser says news organizations failed to scrutinize Swalwell and suggests that his criticism of Trump helped shield him from negative coverage. He also compares the coverage to media outlets’ past reporting on Joe Biden’s age and argues that the press is deflecting responsibility. The column does not present responses from Swalwell or The Washington Post.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSED
No good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Swalwell in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Swalwell’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →
President mentioned in the column’s account of Swalwell’s criticism of him and media coverage.
Former president discussed in the column’s comparison with media coverage of Swalwell.
Part of a bigger story
68 OUTLETSOutlets report that Eric Swalwell announced he would resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations that he denies; he had also suspended his California gubernatorial campaign. Left-leaning outlets emphasize accountability, political fallout and calls to remove Swalwell, including scrutiny of Democratic allies. Center outlets mainly track the allegations, denials, investigations and official responses as the resignation unfolds. Right-leaning outlets often scrutinize Democrats’ response, contrasting calls to end his campaign with demands that he leave Congress.
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- OUTLETS
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- AVG CRED
- 61
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