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FLASHBACK: Swalwell touted Epstein survivor as SOTU guest weeks before sexual assault allegations emerged
By Leo Briceno
Published April 16, 2026
Weeks after now-former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., invited an Epstein survivor to attend the State of the Union earlier this year in an attempt to highlight victims of sexual abuse, his political career collapsed after multiple women accused him of sexual assault.
"Like every American, I want the President to do his job. I have always attended the State of the Union, and I will again tonight. I invited Teresa Helm as my guest because she has been waiting for justice for more than two decades," Swalwell said in a press release, referring to Teresa Helm, his guest.
"Teresa’s bravery exposed the Epstein cover-up. The President owes her — and all survivors — answers," Swalwell added.
Weeks later, Swalwell would ultimately suspend his gubernatorial campaign and resign his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives over women who exposed his own improprieties.
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Democratic United States Representative Eric Swalwell delivers a speech as he attends the SEIU-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW)'s Gubernatorial Candidate Worker Forum at Meruelo Studios in Los Angeles, California, on January 10, 2026. = (ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Bombshell reporting from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle last Friday recounted allegations from several women, providing detailed accounts of how Swalwell had pursued intoxicated women, pressured employees into intimate situations and asked for explicit images from female contacts.
Swalwell’s office did not respond to requests for inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Helm serves as Survivor Services Coordinator at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) where she partners with survivors of abuse to hold corporations and individuals who profited from and facilitated their exploitation accountable.
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Helm, a survivor of Epstein’s sex trafficking, had urged lawmakers to release the Epstein files in the lead up to the 2026 State of the Union Address.
"At the heart of this matter is HUMAN DIGNITY and JUSTICE FOR ALL," Helm said in a press release ahead of the State of the Union.
President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Epstein, a financier with a prolific social circle, rubbed shoulders with the rich and powerful, including figures like Bill Gates, former President Bill Clinton, President Donald Trump, Billionaire Les Wexner and the United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew.
Epstein died while incarcerated in 2019 on charges of sex-trafficking minors, leaving behind questions of whether he used his wide-ranging contacts to facilitate illegal sexual encounters.
Swalwell, like a wide range of lawmakers from both parties, had urged the DOJ to publicly release documentation on its investigation of Epstein, arguing for public accountability on the matter.
Helm echoed those calls.
California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell waves before speaking at the 2026 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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"It is crucial to join forces, lead by example and continue lighting the way for generations to come. To me, it is both an assignment and an honor to be a guest here today at the 2026 State of the Union Address," Helm said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Helm for comment.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/swalwell-touted-epstein-survivor-sotu-guest-weeks-before-sexual-assault-allegations-emerged