Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Kid Berwyn

(24,587 posts)
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:39 PM 4 hrs ago

Who is CHEYENNE HUNT, leading the charge against Swalwell?

I understand she's an attorney and a Democrat who has collected the statements from several, unidentified, women. She also has a connection to Swalwell's rival for Governorship of California, Katie Porter.



The influencer behind the now public allegations against gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell has academic and political connections with UC Irvine Law professor and rival candidate Katie Porter. However, the former congresswoman denies any direct relationship. Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/katie-porter-influencer-cheyenne-hunt-eric-swalwell-allegations/



The staffers' stories, if true, are damning. The victims have lived in pain while the perpetrator has gained in fame.

However, we must know -- We the People (especially of California) -- have the right to know if the allegations are true. We achieve that through openness.

Character assassination does the same as a political violence: it removes people permanently from leadership. And today, the owners running Corporate McPravda, without attribution or anything else, are destroying the career of what had been a rising star, a potential Democratic president, making the billionaires who own and operate CIABCNNBCBSFOXBS so very happy.
53 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Who is CHEYENNE HUNT, leading the charge against Swalwell? (Original Post) Kid Berwyn 4 hrs ago OP
I don't see how she's "leading the charge." It appears that she*, like many others in California politics, heard that a WhiskeyGrinder 4 hrs ago #1
You are correct. It's Katie Porter leading the charge. Kid Berwyn 4 hrs ago #3
A politician is making moves after news broke about another politician? Huh. WhiskeyGrinder 4 hrs ago #5
No a politician paid for news to be broken. Kid Berwyn 4 hrs ago #6
Walk me through it. Katie Porter paid who to do what? WhiskeyGrinder 4 hrs ago #8
Who said that? Kid Berwyn 4 hrs ago #10
Oh sorry when you said "Katie Porter is leading the charge" and "a politician paid for news to be broken" I WhiskeyGrinder 4 hrs ago #11
An arrangement to destroy someone DU considered a good man's career. Kid Berwyn 4 hrs ago #12
So who made this arrangement? And what specifically was it? WhiskeyGrinder 4 hrs ago #13
I don't know. Kid Berwyn 4 hrs ago #15
Okay so what I'm hearing you say is that Katie Porter is leading a charge, and that a politician paid for news to be WhiskeyGrinder 4 hrs ago #17
That's not how I see it. Kid Berwyn 3 hrs ago #20
so what are you saying? WhiskeyGrinder 3 hrs ago #22
Anything to muddy the waters as a distraction EdmondDantes_ 3 hrs ago #23
Gee... looks like Katie Porter is human...who knew? nt Trueblue Texan 2 hrs ago #35
Swalwell has no responsibility for what is happening? blm 4 hrs ago #16
Of course. He needs to tell the truth about what happened. Kid Berwyn 3 hrs ago #19
Who paid who to do what? Fiendish Thingy 3 hrs ago #30
Of course Katie would benefit from Swallwell dropping out, Nixie 16 min ago #50
She was a student of Katie Porter although they don't Nixie 4 hrs ago #2
Thank you for the heads-up. Kid Berwyn 4 hrs ago #4
Since when has telling the truth become "dirty politics"? Nt Fiendish Thingy 3 hrs ago #32
Anything to avoid believing victims EdmondDantes_ 4 hrs ago #7
Don't the facts matter? Kid Berwyn 4 hrs ago #9
No you aren't. Unless you think Swalwell is the victim EdmondDantes_ 3 hrs ago #21
I'm carrying water for Swalwell and all who run for office. Kid Berwyn 3 hrs ago #24
"Bringing up something to destroy US Rep. Eric Swalwell's reputation on the eve of an important election is suspect." WhiskeyGrinder 3 hrs ago #25
Just fyi there are more than 1 accuser as well as family and friends corroboration in both CNN and Chronicle Nanjeanne 3 hrs ago #27
You're certainly right that nothing you say will help EdmondDantes_ 2 hrs ago #34
A lot of women are being blamed here, I notice. yardwork 57 min ago #45
Oh, okay MorbidButterflyTat 4 hrs ago #14
Now that you mention her, Katie Porter is an outstanding Democrat. Kid Berwyn 3 hrs ago #18
Agree absolutely about character assassins MorbidButterflyTat 3 hrs ago #29
That's already been happening long before the staffer controversy by people holding a bitter grudge against her SunImp 3 hrs ago #33
Not sure I understand that MorbidButterflyTat 1 hr ago #37
She endorsed someone people around here hated so they threw her under the buss SunImp 1 hr ago #42
This is supposedly who started the ball rolling on this. Bluesky post chowder66 3 hrs ago #26
Curious. What level or order of 'proof' would you consider sufficient to put this matter to bed? stopdiggin 3 hrs ago #28
Lie detector test for each accuser and Swalwell Billsdaughter 2 hrs ago #36
Lie detectors are fake science. WhiskeyGrinder 1 hr ago #38
Tell that to every defense attorney that Billsdaughter 1 hr ago #39
Back in the day, sure. But nowadays both parties have to agree to them being used in a criminal case, and that's WhiskeyGrinder 1 hr ago #44
What if Swalwell took one voluntarily? TexasBushwhacker 1 hr ago #41
I wish he would and immediately Billsdaughter 1 hr ago #43
Given how they work, they are horribly unreliable EdmondDantes_ 23 min ago #49
Trump found guilty in court of sexual assault elected President of the United States, NoMoreRepugs 3 hrs ago #31
Al Franken still makes me sad what happened to him Billsdaughter 1 hr ago #40
Well, I don't know what party is lying or telling the truth, but I suspect that Dan 44 min ago #46
Nonsense! (and a bit offensive) responsible sexual behavior is NOT beyond the realm stopdiggin 31 min ago #48
Interesting, Dan 13 min ago #51
in which case there would be absolutely no purpose in promoting 'asexual or saint'. Correct ? stopdiggin 5 min ago #52
ahhhh, interesting point. Dan 35 sec ago #53
Swalwell ends gubernatorial run Billsdaughter 40 min ago #47

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,035 posts)
1. I don't see how she's "leading the charge." It appears that she*, like many others in California politics, heard that a
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:45 PM
4 hrs ago

Last edited Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:29 PM - Edit history (1)

story was being reported out and made some comments about it on Instagram. Roger Stone did the same thing. None of this is weird because a story like the Chronicle produced, which reported the first victim's account, takes weeks or months to produce, and while it's happening, people are going to check in with each other behind the scenes.

* the influencer

Kid Berwyn

(24,587 posts)
3. You are correct. It's Katie Porter leading the charge.
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:56 PM
4 hrs ago

As a former cops reporter, yep, it takes time to earn a conviction in court.

The thing is, to destroy a person's career takes only a second.

Kid Berwyn

(24,587 posts)
6. No a politician paid for news to be broken.
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:03 PM
4 hrs ago

You don't have to be Gloria Allred to see how this works.

Roy Cohn is good enough.

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,035 posts)
11. Oh sorry when you said "Katie Porter is leading the charge" and "a politician paid for news to be broken" I
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:13 PM
4 hrs ago

conflated the two, my bad.

What exactly are you saying? An arrangement to do what?

Kid Berwyn

(24,587 posts)
12. An arrangement to destroy someone DU considered a good man's career.
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:15 PM
4 hrs ago

You know, a Democrat.

Kid Berwyn

(24,587 posts)
15. I don't know.
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:26 PM
4 hrs ago

That's where the openness comes in.

And if the facts and law show Swalwell is a lech, good to know.

If the facts and law show Swalwell is in the clear, it'll be too late to know.

As for Katie Porter, she isn't completely the kind of person I thought she was:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BwVU9gid_pA

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,035 posts)
17. Okay so what I'm hearing you say is that Katie Porter is leading a charge, and that a politician paid for news to be
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:33 PM
4 hrs ago

broken, but then you backed away from that, and said there might be an arrangement, or something, maybe, but...openness is needed? Do I have that right? It's hard to tell; this narrative is kind of all over the place.

EdmondDantes_

(1,905 posts)
23. Anything to muddy the waters as a distraction
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:04 PM
3 hrs ago

I suppose it's a little better than smearing the victims, but shooting the messenger is also a long time way to avoid news that's uncomfortable.

Kid Berwyn

(24,587 posts)
19. Of course. He needs to tell the truth about what happened.
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:52 PM
3 hrs ago

First, though, We the People need to determine the veracity of the allegations. Otherwise, he'll go the way of Spitzer before we know the truth.


Fiendish Thingy

(23,380 posts)
30. Who paid who to do what?
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:31 PM
3 hrs ago

Please provide links for your accusations.

IMO, if 50 current Swallwell staffers support their colleagues in coming forth with their allegations, it doesn’t matter what else Porter might have contributed to breaking the story.

But of course, other than the connection of one person involved to Porter, you haven’t proven anything about Porter’s role in this story.

Nixie

(17,998 posts)
50. Of course Katie would benefit from Swallwell dropping out,
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 10:18 PM
16 min ago

so you are wise to question everything about this timing. It’s not really about justice for “victims” — it’s about eliminating political competitors. Mission accomplished.

But I just saw that it’s too late to remove Swallwell from the primary ballot, so this trick bag might backfire.

Nixie

(17,998 posts)
2. She was a student of Katie Porter although they don't
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:52 PM
4 hrs ago

really admit that. The timing of this is to help Katie, obviously.

Kid Berwyn

(24,587 posts)
4. Thank you for the heads-up.
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:59 PM
4 hrs ago

When it comes to politics, like Roy Cohn said, the gloves are off.


EdmondDantes_

(1,905 posts)
7. Anything to avoid believing victims
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:04 PM
4 hrs ago

Did this devious woman create the corroborating evidence?

How about not trying to distract from Swalwell by trying to blame everyone else.

But hey you can also take Swalwell's own words for why you should believe victims. When you have independent victims come forward it becomes really hard to not believe them.

EdmondDantes_

(1,905 posts)
21. No you aren't. Unless you think Swalwell is the victim
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:59 PM
3 hrs ago

Because you're definitely carrying water for him.

Kid Berwyn

(24,587 posts)
24. I'm carrying water for Swalwell and all who run for office.
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:13 PM
3 hrs ago

The alleged victim tells a most compelling story. Implying I'm calling her a liar is a tactic of propaganda.

Bringing up something to destroy US Rep. Eric Swalwell's reputation on the eve of an important election is suspect.

Swalwell has a 20-year record helping send crooks to jail and politicians to account.

If you got a problem with me reminding you of that, nothing I can say will help.

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,035 posts)
25. "Bringing up something to destroy US Rep. Eric Swalwell's reputation on the eve of an important election is suspect."
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:16 PM
3 hrs ago

Who brought it up?

Nanjeanne

(6,602 posts)
27. Just fyi there are more than 1 accuser as well as family and friends corroboration in both CNN and Chronicle
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:22 PM
3 hrs ago

Last edited Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:52 PM - Edit history (1)

articles along with reasons for timing. Of course an investigation will hold more weight but it’s not as if these are just one woman saying something rumors.

Also this article in the American Prospect by Dave Dayen talks to these stores long being known etc.

https://prospect.org/2026/04/12/eric-swalwell-death-of-accountability-sexual-misconduct/]

I HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF “BRAGGING” about being an “insider” for knowing this fact and saying it publicly in the wake of the revelations (triggered by some people intimating that the whole thing was an elaborate Republican plot, and by others asking this very question about the speed of politicians backing away), so let me be as transparent as possible. I was made aware of Swalwell’s conduct by a few people in the California political world shortly after he jumped into the governor’s race. I was told that stories about this were being produced when he was running for the 2020 presidential nomination, after which he dropped out and victims decided not to come forward. There are public claims on social media going back to 2020; this more recent one is from an aide to one of his opponents in the governor’s race, Antonio Villaraigosa. There are more private claims that go back all the way to when Swalwell entered Congress in 2013.

Unless and until you have a victim willing to tell their story, and unless and until it can be corroborated, these tips, even if told by credible people with no axe to grind, are just rumors. I tried chasing them down a bit and found out that victims were working with other reporters. At that point, there wasn’t much I could do in writing, though when people asked me as a California voter about the governor’s race, I would volunteer what I knew. Victims decide when the story breaks, and it would actually be monumentally harmful and disrespectful to jump out in front of them without the hard evidence.

That said, I’m a reporter on the outside. Members of Congress and people who raise money for Democrats and labor unions active in California politics have access to a lot more information. There is no believable way, given what I know about how news travels on Capitol Hill, that these people who backed Swalwell weren’t aware of at least rumors and more likely very credible information about this serial conduct, which as I understand it extends to many more than the four people who have gone public.


Link has more…

EdmondDantes_

(1,905 posts)
34. You're certainly right that nothing you say will help
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:52 PM
2 hrs ago

Because every time someone points out a problem with what you said, you skirt around it pretending to be coy that the obvious implications of Swalwell being set up means a whole lot of people had to be involved. And what about that person over there. Anything to distract and muddy the waters.

Believe victims.

yardwork

(69,415 posts)
45. A lot of women are being blamed here, I notice.
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 09:37 PM
57 min ago

The victims are blamed for coming forward.

An "influencer" who is an attorney is being blamed for representing some of the victims.

Katie Porter is being blamed for (checks notes) going to the same law school as the "influencer" lawyer woman. And trying to use a rival politician's problems to (can you imagine?) get an advantage in a political race.

Swalwell's staffers - who quit en masse when the story came out - are being blamed for being either unfaithful or complicit.

Nancy Pelosi is being blamed today like every day.

The only person not being blamed here seems to be Eric Swalwell.

MorbidButterflyTat

(4,584 posts)
14. Oh, okay
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:21 PM
4 hrs ago

"The influencer behind the now public allegations against gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell has academic and political connections with UC Irvine Law professor and rival candidate Katie Porter. However, the former congresswoman denies any direct relationship. "

Let's give Katie the same consideration shown to Swalwell.

None.

Kid Berwyn

(24,587 posts)
18. Now that you mention her, Katie Porter is an outstanding Democrat.
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 06:48 PM
3 hrs ago

My problem is with character assassins.



Please know the writer used a term we no longer use to apply to those who traffic and sexually abuse children.

The Ghost of Roy Cohn

BY TERRY MELANSON · AUGUST 24, 2014

EXCERPT...

In an interview with former NYPD detective James Rothstein, this author discovered that such operations do exist and go far back into America’s secret history. Rothstein is no conspiracy theorist. He is a legend in American law enforcement and speaks from experience. Furthermore, he gave me two notable examples from his time as a detective. Rothstein had an opportunity to have a sit-down with infamous McCarthy committee counsel Roy Cohn. During this sit-down, Cohn admitted to Rothstein that he was part of a rather elaborate sexual blackmail operation that compromised politicians with child prostitutes (Rothstein, no pagination). Cohn told Rothstein that this operation was being carried out as part of the anticommunist crusade of the time (no pagination).

Rothstein also had an opportunity to speak to infamous Watergate burglar Frank Sturgis. During this conversation, Sturgis revealed one of the reasons for breaking into the Watergate. According to Sturgis, there was a “Pedophile Book” hidden away at the Democratic National Committee headquarters (no pagination). The book was supposed to have a list of pedophiles on the American political scene (no pagination). One can only imagine the power G. Gordon Liddy would have held over the government if he had such a book in his possession.

I asked Rothstein if Roy Cohn was a real anticommunist or just using the fear of communism to justify his sex ring. It seemed like a fair question. After all, Cohn had argued against homosexuals being schoolteachers when he himself was a homosexual. Perhaps Cohn’s hypocrisy extended to his anticommunism. Rothstein made it clear that Cohn was a genuine anticommunist (no pagination). Anticommunist sentiments aside, evidence suggests that the sex ring operation started by Cohn was used for more than fighting the threat of domestic communists. Fugitive ex-CIA officer Frank Terpil has claimed that sexual blackmailing operations directed by the CIA were intensive in Washington during the Watergate era (DeCamp 179). Terpil also asserts that his former partner, Ed Wilson, was coordinating one of these sexual blackmail operations (179). In a letter to author Jim Hougan, Terpil revealed Wilson’s modus operandi:

“Historically, one of Wilson’s Agency jobs was to subvert members of both houses [of Congress] by any means necessary…. Certain people could be easily coerced by living out their sexual fantasies in the flesh…. A remembrance of these occasions [was] permanently recorded via selected cameras…. The technicians in charge of filming… were TSD [Technical Services Division of the CIA]. The unwitting porno stars advanced in their political careers, some of [whom] may still be in office.” (Qtd. in DeCamp 179)

According to John DeCamp, a former Nebraska Senator and Vietnam War hero, Wilson’s operation was merely a continuation of the one set up by Cohn (179). When I asked James Rothstein if Palfrey’s outfit was a continuation of the sexual blackmail rings that began with Cohn, he answered in the affirmative (Rothstein, pagination). The NYPD veteran made it clear that Palfrey’s outfit could not exist in Washington unless it was a tool for the power elite and sinister factions of the intelligence community (no pagination). Somewhere in a Queens cemetery, the corpse of a high-powered attorney is smiling in his grave.

SOURCE:

https://www.conspiracyarchive.com/2014/08/24/the-ghost-of-roy-cohn/

MorbidButterflyTat

(4,584 posts)
29. Agree absolutely about character assassins
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:30 PM
3 hrs ago

But it was your OP that mentioned Katie Porter.

I've been very suspicious since I found out Cohn assisted in the prosecution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

I don't know enough about it but that guy was fugly scum.

SunImp

(2,716 posts)
33. That's already been happening long before the staffer controversy by people holding a bitter grudge against her
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:34 PM
3 hrs ago

Let's give Katie the same consideration shown to Swalwell.

None

SunImp

(2,716 posts)
42. She endorsed someone people around here hated so they threw her under the buss
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 08:51 PM
1 hr ago
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215464509

Katie probably doesn't agree with what she said, but agrees with her policies & stances.

chowder66

(12,327 posts)
26. This is supposedly who started the ball rolling on this. Bluesky post
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:17 PM
3 hrs ago
https://mrsfrazzled.substack.com/about

I did not have my favorite Kindergarten Teacher (“got it, got it”- “catch a bubble”) as the hinge that brought down Swalwell…

She tells the story here:

Democrat Cats (@democratcats.bsky.social) 2026-04-12T16:01:55.323Z

stopdiggin

(15,525 posts)
28. Curious. What level or order of 'proof' would you consider sufficient to put this matter to bed?
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:25 PM
3 hrs ago

In the public realm of course.
Because of course - you cannot seriously be suggesting that this be put on hold, until we have full resolution in a court of law?
Which - given the circumstance - is completely and utterly spurious/ridiculous.

So, again ... What kind of proof would rise to your satisfaction?

Billsdaughter

(157 posts)
39. Tell that to every defense attorney that
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 08:45 PM
1 hr ago

Has had a prosecution dropped because of the result of a such a test.

In any event, if either or any party to this message bolstered their allegations or denial of allegations by submitting to such a test, it would be compelling evidence.

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,035 posts)
44. Back in the day, sure. But nowadays both parties have to agree to them being used in a criminal case, and that's
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 09:16 PM
1 hr ago

assuming they're even allowed to be use (fewer than half of the states in the U.S. do so). They're just not reliable or useful.

TexasBushwhacker

(21,221 posts)
41. What if Swalwell took one voluntarily?
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 08:47 PM
1 hr ago

What I've seen and read is he's never raped anyone. He's also said "I'm not a saint " and that he needs to apologize to his wife and family. ALL the accusations may not be true, but I get the feeling some are. He's giving me creepy Andrew Cuomo vibes.

Billsdaughter

(157 posts)
43. I wish he would and immediately
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 08:57 PM
1 hr ago

That would be the most expedient way to get out in front of it. If he is not culpable.

Same goes for the woman making the rape allegations. She would be 100% believable had she produced a lie detector result from a reliable agency that her statements were found truthful.



EdmondDantes_

(1,905 posts)
49. Given how they work, they are horribly unreliable
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 10:11 PM
23 min ago
https://www.sciencing.com/1852536/why-lie-detector-tests-arent-as-accurate-as-think/

Think a victim being asked about being raped might have some anxiety, nervous about being disbelieved, and stressed which trigger the thing lie detectors measure. Quit trying to come up with excuses to not believe victims. Did you call for a lie detector when Kavanaugh was accused?

NoMoreRepugs

(12,142 posts)
31. Trump found guilty in court of sexual assault elected President of the United States,
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:32 PM
3 hrs ago

amazing the difference between them and us.

Dan

(5,240 posts)
46. Well, I don't know what party is lying or telling the truth, but I suspect that
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 09:50 PM
44 min ago

in the future, we should add "asexual or saint" on our candidates job description.

stopdiggin

(15,525 posts)
48. Nonsense! (and a bit offensive) responsible sexual behavior is NOT beyond the realm
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 10:03 PM
31 min ago

of ordinary ethical expectation. It just ISN'T !!
( sitting here spluttering ...... that one really got under my skin ! )

Dan

(5,240 posts)
51. Interesting,
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 10:21 PM
13 min ago

I was just reading another post that spoke about Roy Cohn and his role as an advisor in politics and the positions he took. And one of the things that the article spoke to was the role of damaging a person's reputation though whatever means. Politics is a combat sport whether we like it or not and people will get hurt via the truth or lies. As I said, I don't know who is lying or telling the truth - time will tell, but ethical behavior will not save you.

stopdiggin

(15,525 posts)
52. in which case there would be absolutely no purpose in promoting 'asexual or saint'. Correct ?
Sun Apr 12, 2026, 10:29 PM
5 min ago

with actual behavior providing no 'protection'?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Who is CHEYENNE HUNT, lea...