WASHINGTON (TNND) — Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., flexed his muscles Sunday in a new video shared via X which blamed Republicans for putting Congress on summer recess.
Congress is currently observing its annual August recess, a scheduled break which typically lasts several weeks. Rep. Swalwell explained during a set of bench press that Republicans adjourned a day early to prevent the release of information relating to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
“I should be working right now,” the representative said while lifting what appeared to be 135 pounds. “I should be at the Capitol. I should be in a suit. Instead, Republicans sent us home because they would rather stand up for Donald Trump than release the Epstein files and stand up for victims.”
“We could be in Washington, D.C. lowering your healthcare costs, lowering your grocery costs and restoring your rights,” he added. “I should be working right now. Instead, I’m pumping iron at the gym.
The video shows the representative completing 11 reps of the exercise before cutting to his campaign logo. Commenters on X criticized the lawmaker, however, claiming the lift was not impressive.
“Seeing more Dems and progressive influencers post like this and it is so incredibly cringe and tryhard,” Democratic commentator Kaivin Shroff wrote. “We need it to STOP. It is very embarrassing to me personally as a Democrat. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk.”
“Dems are so delusional about what a real win is they continue to self-own themselves by posting cornball stuff like this,” a former congressional staffer added. “A grown man should be able to bench more than 135lbs.”
Surprise, Arizona Vice Mayor Jack Hastings also responded, writing “Back in high school/college I’d be terrified to think about what would happen to me if I put up the camera to film myself repping 135.”
Rep. Swalwell is not alone in being mocked for his exercise routine. After Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., shared her exercise routine with 60 Minutes in 2023, she became enshrined in a subreddit page dedicated to “cringe.”
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