WASHINGTON D.C. – Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is facing widespread ridicule and condemnation after a recent attempt to blame President Donald Trump for a small plane crash in Georgia spectacularly backfired, leaving the California Democrat open to accusations of desperation and “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
The incident unfolded in April 2025 when Swalwell took to social media to declare, following a tragic private plane crash in Covington, Georgia, that “Trump is President. President Trump is in charge of air safety. All crashes are Trump’s fault.” He then doubled down on the provocative claim in comments to Fox News Digital.
The highly unusual and politically charged assertion immediately drew fire from across the political spectrum. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung issued a blistering rebuke, stating, “Swalwell must be taking his orders from Fang Fang or suffering from a severe debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome because there is no other reason anyone with a functioning brain would make that type of false and disgusting claim. He is a complete disgrace not only as an elected official, but as a human being who has continued to beclown himself.”
Social media users swiftly piled on, accusing Swalwell of making an unfair and baseless connection. Many highlighted the factual inaccuracy of his claim, with data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reportedly showing only five fatal aviation incidents in President Trump’s first month in office, compared to ten during a similar period under the previous administration.
The incident is seen by critics as the latest example of Swalwell’s consistent and often extreme anti-Trump rhetoric, which has frequently drawn controversy. His previous roles, including serving as an impeachment manager in Trump’s first impeachment trial and initiating civil lawsuits against him, have solidified his image as a fierce opponent of the President. However, this recent “stunt” is widely viewed as having overshot its mark, resulting in significant public humiliation rather than political gain.
The backfire also comes at a time when Swalwell himself has reportedly taken out a liability insurance policy, citing concerns over potential legal peril during the current Trump administration.1 This move, combined with his increasingly desperate attacks, has led many to question the Democrat’s strategic effectiveness in the current political climate. For many observers, Swalwell’s latest anti-Trump gambit simply “crashed and burned,” offering fresh ammunition to his political opponents.
