California gubernatorial hopeful Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., took at least six trips to Doha backed by Qatar-linked sponsors from 2020 through 2024, extending a pattern of foreign-funded travel that previously drew criticism, according to House filings reviewed by Fox News Digital.
The disclosures show Swalwell returned to Qatar repeatedly over multiple years, even after he was slammed for taking an $84,000 trip with a few other lawmakers to the Gulf emirate  in 2021, sponsored by the U.S.-Qatar Business Council. In addition to that trip, filings from the House of Representatives clerk show Swalwell also went to Doha in 2020, twice in 2022, once in 2023, and once in 2024, with the trips sponsored by either the Embassy of Qatar, or the U.S.-Qatar Business Council.Â
Swalwell faced criticism for that surfaced after Business Insider shared a photo of a shirtless Swalwell and now-Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., as well as their spouses, during a camel excursion along the Persian Gulf â not far from where they were reportedly staying at the Four Seasons in Doha. While not illegal, such trips are an “ethical gray area” Business Insider pointed out at the time, which can offer powerful interests a chance to influence lawmakers. Swalwell was on the House Intelligence Committee at the time, and Gallego on the House Armed Services Committee. Business Insider also added that such privately funded trips are different than congressional delegations paid for by the government.Â
Meanwhile, in February, Fox News Digital found that Swalwell’s current gubernatorial campaign in donations from lawyer Keliang “Clay” Zhu, despite concerns over his anti-American efforts and connection to a law firm with deep Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ties.Â
The month prior, Fox News Digital also covered a previously unreported 2013 Facebook post by China’s San Francisco consulate showing then-freshman during a meeting with a senior CCP diplomat. The photo’s caption touted “great potential” for U.S.-China cooperation, and came during the same time period when Swalwell was allegedly targeted by Chinese espionage efforts via his relationship with a Chinese national named Christine Fang Fang Fang.Â
“It’s corrupt. You shouldn’t be bought by foreign governments,” said Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and one of Swalwell’s top GOP rivals in the race, in response to Fox News Digital’s reporting on Zhu, DeHeng Law Offices, Swalwell’s unearthed photo and the congressman’s Qatar-sponsored trips. “We are sick of all these corrupt career politicians being bribed by foreign governments. They’re supposed to be representing us, not other countries.”
Swalwell’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment. Ali Al-Ansari, media attache at the Embassy of Qatar in the United States, responded, noting that visits by members of Congress to Doha are “a routine and longstanding practice across administrations and parties,” whether organized via the embassy or through partner organizations.
“These exchanges are part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, foster mutual understanding, and provide opportunities for policymakers to engage directly with counterparts in the region. Such engagements are a common feature of international diplomacy, with many close U.S. allies similarly hosting congressional delegations,” Al-Ansari continued. “Such visits typically include meetings, briefings, and cultural activities that reflect the importance of the U.S.-Qatar relationship. All travel is conducted in full compliance with applicable U.S. laws and disclosure requirements, and is transparently reported.”
Business Insider reported in 2021 that Swalwell, Gallego and the three other lawmakers that attended the trip with them in 2021 got approval by the as required, but noted that the documents detailing the trip did not indicate when they were posted, and it appeared Swalwell’s disclosure may have missed the pro
