California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., took at least six trips to Doha between 2020 and 2024 backed by Qatar-linked sponsors, continuing a pattern of foreign-funded travel that has drawn scrutiny, according to House records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
The filings show Swalwell visited Qatar multiple times over several years. That includes a widely criticized 2021 trip—valued at about $84,000—alongside other lawmakers and funded by the U.S.-Qatar Business Council. Records also show additional trips in 2020, twice in 2022, once in 2023, and once in 2024, sponsored either by the Qatari embassy or the same business council.
The 2021 visit drew particular attention after Business Insider published a photo of Swalwell and now-Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., shirtless with their spouses during a camel ride near the Persian Gulf, not far from their reported stay at the Four Seasons in Doha. While the trip itself wasn’t illegal, Business Insider noted at the time that privately funded travel like this can fall into an “ethical gray area,” giving outside interests a chance to build influence with lawmakers. Swalwell was serving on the House Intelligence Committee then, while Gallego sat on Armed Services. The outlet also pointed out that these trips differ from official congressional delegations funded by the government.
After the backlash, the U.S.-Qatar Business Council told the New York Post it covered only travel and official itinerary costs—not the camel excursion.
More recently, Fox News Digital reported that Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign received tens of thousands of dollars from attorney Keliang “Clay” Zhu, despite concerns about Zhu’s alleged anti-American activities and ties to a law firm connected to the Chinese Communist Party.
In a separate report, the outlet highlighted a 2013 Facebook post from China’s San Francisco consulate showing a young Swalwell meeting with a senior Chinese diplomat. The caption spoke of “great potential” for U.S.-China cooperation. The meeting took place around the same time Swalwell was allegedly targeted by a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, Christine “Fang Fang” Fang, who had ties to his campaign.
“It’s corrupt. You shouldn’t be bought by foreign governments,” said Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, responding to the reports. He argued that voters are tired of politicians being influenced by outside interests.
Swalwell’s office did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Qatar’s embassy in Washington said such visits are routine and bipartisan, part of long-standing efforts to strengthen ties and give U.S. lawmakers firsthand exposure to the region. The spokesperson added that all travel is disclosed and complies with U.S. law.
Business Insider previously reported that the 2021 trip had been approved by the House Ethics Committee, though questions were raised about whether disclosures were filed on time. The itinerary included meetings on U.S.-Qatar business relations, discussions with hospitality leaders, a briefing on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and other official events.
Qatar has faced ongoing scrutiny over alleged ties to Hamas. In 2025, it warned of retaliation against Israel following airstrikes that reportedly targeted Hamas figures, including senior financial and operational leaders.
Swalwell has pushed back on criticism tied to Fang Fang, calling the controversy “nonsense” and saying the FBI addressed any concerns early on. U.S. intelligence officials had warned him about Fang in 2015, after which he cut off contact, according to reports.
Although a congressional ethics review found no wrongdoing, the issue resurfaced in 2020 and led to renewed scrutiny. Then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy later removed Swalwell from the Intelligence Committee.
Other questions have followed Swalwell more recently, including scrutiny over an AI startup he co-founded with his chief of staff, which later did work for his campaign. Reports also raised concerns about investments from Democratic campaigns tied to the company.
His residency has also come up during the governor’s race. Swalwell listed his attorney’s address on campaign paperwork, saying he did so because of safety concerns. He has maintained that he and his wife have lived in Livermore since 2017, a claim supported by his landlord and attorney. A legal challenge over his residency ultimately failed.
A separate allegation involving mortgage and tax fraud—related to how he classified his Washington, D.C., home—did not lead to further action. Swalwell initially sued over the claim but later dropped the case.
Hilton, meanwhile, has argued that the Democratic field is unusually fragmented, lacking a clear frontrunner after years of more predictable races. He suggested that party backing could eventually coalesce around a candidate like Swalwell, pointing to recent endorsements from major labor groups including the California Teachers Association, SEIU, the United Food and Commercial Workers, and the state firefighters union.
