Eric Swalwell’s Foreign-Funded Travel Scrutinized

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.