California Rep. Eric Swalwell Announces Presidential Run During Interview On 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert'

Representative Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, announced he will run for president in 2020, joining an already-crowded field. Swalwell made the announcement during a taping of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

The Late Show posted the announcement Monday afternoon for the show that will air later Monday night.

"TONIGHT: California Representative @EricSwalwell announces on @colbertlateshow that he is running for President!"

TONIGHT: California Representative @EricSwalwell announces on @colbertlateshow that he is running for President! #LSSC pic.twitter.com/bvzBPIkSnz

— A Late Show (@colbertlateshow) April 8, 2019

In the brief clip released, Swalwell said the United States needs a president who will "go big on the issues we take on, be bold on the solutions we offer, and do good in the way that we govern."

"I'm ready to solve these problems. I'm running for President of the United States," Swalwell said.

Swalwell made headlines recently after the Mueller report was released, claiming in a tweet, "The only person who has been caught lying about Russia is Donald Trump. If he thinks I've made a false statement, he can sue me. And I'll beat him in court."

The only person who has been caught lying about Russia is Donald Trump. If he thinks I’ve made a false statement, he can sue me. And I’ll beat him in court. https://t.co/x9UvPnTqkO

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) March 25, 2019

"In our investigation, we saw strong evidence of collusion," Swalwell said. "The Republicans now are choosing to bury it. I don't know what you call it when the Russians make multiple approaches to members of the Trump family, the Trump Organization, the Trump campaign to offer and preview dirt on Hillary Clinton, where the candidate stands in front of a public crowd and says, Russia, you'll be rewarded if you hack her deleted e-mails."

Last November, Swalwell stirred controversy when he proposed a gun buyback program. He said the U.S. military was armed well enough to take back the guns of Americans.

America’s gun debate in one thread.

1) I propose a buy-back of assault weapons

2) Gun owner says he’ll go to war with USA if that happens

3) I sarcastically point out USA isn’t losing to his assault weapon (it’s not the 18th Century)

4) I’m called a tyrant

5) 0 progress

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 16, 2018

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Scott McDonald is a Newsweek deputy night editor based in Cape Coral, Florida. His focus is assigning and writing stories ... Read more

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go