Eric Swalwell: The King of Cringe
As we approach the end of 2025, Eric Swalwell, the congressman from the East Bay and candidate for California governor, has solidified his position as the reigning champion of awkward social media moments. Despite having the worst voting record among active House members, Swalwell has managed to top the charts with the most cringeworthy video clip of the year.
In a video collaboration with teen influencer Knowa De Baraso, Swalwell attempted to put his own twist on the “Beez in the Trap” meme. The clip features Swalwell lip-syncing to 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up” while standing back to back with the 14-year-old, who takes over halfway through with a rendition of Nicki Minaj’s rap from “Beez in the Trap.” The edited version likely censored some profanities, considering Swalwell’s young co-star.
The reason it’s hard to guess who’s behind Rep. Eric Swalwell is probably because it’s a child. Eric Swalwell/TikTok
The video was met with swift and harsh criticism on social media, garnering over 1,700 comments and just a little over 600 likes. Comments ranged from “Oh dear, that was so bad” to “This is so embarrassing,” with various emojis expressing cringe and disbelief.
On TikTok, where the video was originally posted, the reviews were equally scathing. One user questioned why anyone would vote for Swalwell after seeing the video.
Swalwell is no stranger to embarrassing social media moments, with past videos showing him lifting light weights at the gym and bobbing in a swimming pool while blaming Republicans for a government shutdown.
Knowa De Baraso’s popularity couldn’t save Rep. Eric Swalwell from the wrath of social media commentators. Eric Swalwell/TikTok
Swalwell’s latest attempt to ride the wave of Knowa De Baraso’s viral fame seems to have missed the mark, further solidifying his reputation as the King of Cringe.
