Does Money and Power Produce Sex Predators?
In a previous commentary, I dealt with the relationship between money, power and sex in politics. In the vast majority of the past political sex scandals the behavior was between consenting adults — and in a few cases with underage consenting partners (still a crime). But there is another class. They are more than cheaters. They are predators who take sex by brute force.
Sex predators, like Eric Swawell, make no sense to me. As a person of modest means and limited power, I have never found it desirable or necessary to pay for sex or to force myself on anyone – and I have had a very satisfying sex life. One would assume that men with money, power and movie star good looks could have their pick of bed mates without shelling out money, raping or preying on kids. Logic suggests that those in the public eye would be the most circumspect when it comes to inappropriate sexual behavior. But noooooo.
So, why do they?
In addition to Swalwell, there have been a surprising number of prominent people being accused of one form of sexual assault or another – including violent rape and pedophilia. Of all the presidents with robust sexual lives – from Thomas Jefferson to today – only three have been accused of sexual assault by self-proclaimed victims, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But there have been a large number of non-political celebrity predators in virtually every field.
News and Entertainment Figures
- Matt Lauer (NBC News Anchor) 2017: Fired following a detailed complaint from a female colleague for “inappropriate sexual behavior” in the workplace. NBC Chairman Andrew Lack stated that while it was the first formal complaint in Lauer’s 20 years at the network, there was reasons to believe it was not an isolated incident. He was terminated “for cause” with no severance
- Harvey Weinstein (film producer, co-founder of Miramax) 2020: Accused by more than 80 women of rape, sexual assault, and harassment spanning decades. Convicted in New York (2020) and Los Angeles (2022) and currently serving a lengthy prison sentence.
- R. Kelly (musician) 2021/22: Two convictions on sex trafficking, producing child pornography and sex with minors, Sentenced to 30 years in prison.
- Bill Cosby (actor/comedian) 2018: Accused by dozens of women of drugging and sexually assaulting them. Convicted in 2018 of aggravated indecent assault. Sentence vacated in 2021on technical grounds.
- Sean “Diddy” Combs (music mogul/entrepreneur) 2024: Facing more than 120 lawsuits alleging rape, sexual assault and sex trafficking – including minors. Convicted of sex trafficking.
- Kevin Spacey (actor) 2017: Accused by at least two dozen men of sexual misconduct and assault — including minors. Multiple trials resulted in acquittals or dropped charges.
- Danny Masterson (actor, That ’70s Show) 2023: Convicted of raping two women. Sentenced to 30 years in prison.
- Russell Brand (comedian/actor) 2000: Accused by multiple women of rape, sexual assault, and abuse. Police investigation was closed without charges.
- Armie Hammer (actor) 2021: Accused by multiple women of sexual assault, abuse, and manipulation — including graphic messages. Claimed the encounters were consensual. No criminal charges filed.
Business Leaders and Executives
- Roy Price (former Amazon Studios executive) 2017: Accused of sexual harassment and assault by producers, including Isa Hackett. Resigned.
- Steve Wynn (casino magnate, Wynn Resorts founder) 2018: Accused by multiple women (including employees) of sexual assault and harassment. Resigned and some civil suits settled.
- Les Moonves (former CBS CEO) 2018: Accused by multiple women of sexual assault and harassment. Resigned.
Civic Leaders, Sports, and Others
- Mike Tyson (former heavyweight boxing champion) 1992: Convicted in 1992 of raping an 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant. Served three years in prison.
- Jerry Sandusky (Assistant coach at Penn State) 2011: Arrested on 52 counts of rape and sexual abuse of young boys over a 15-year period. Currently serving what is essentially a life sentence.
- Larry Nassar (former USA Gymnastics team doctor) 2018: Convicted of sexually assaulting hundreds of girls and women –many underage. Sentenced to 40–175 years in prison.
- Conor McGregor (UFC fighter/businessman) 2024: Accused of sexual assault by multiple women. Civil suits settled.
So, what makes people like Swalwell so willing to risk everything? They already know they are in the public eye – and their every move is potentially scrutinized by the media. Their behavior has to be noticed by family, friends and colleagues – though most deny it. It is most certainly known by the victims.
Swalwell is a perfect example. The general public never heard anything about his sexual misbehaviors. When it finally broke into the public spotlight, there suddenly was a long history of alleged assaults that many people knew about. There were even some earlier complaints that were never taken seriously or acted upon.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took to the airwaves to exclaim her shock and surprise. She assured the public that neither she nor her colleagues had any idea about Swalwell’s years-long indiscretions. But those claims do not pass the smell test – and inconsistent with the statements of others. How could she not know what so many others in Congress knew? She certainly knew of Swalwell’s involvement with the Chinese spy – and she did nothing. Pelosi did not even remove him for the intelligence committee.
Other members of Congress told reporters that “everyone” knew of Swalwell’s reputation as a womanizer. Online influencer Cheyenne Hunt, executive director of Gen Z for Change – a podcast operation that assembles information on the sexual indiscretions of public figures — was the person who first brought forth Swalwell’s accusers. She said his behavior was “common knowledge” on Capitol Hill (except to Pelosi) – claiming women routinely were advised “never to be alone in a room with Swalwell”.
So, how do they get away with it for so long? It must be celebrity power. Victims, family, friends and colleagues alike fear some level of retribution if they reveal what they know. It may be overt intimidation or inferred intimidation – pure fear. Others, like Pelosi, look the other way because they need Swalwell’s power – his ability to command the attention of the media, to raise money and provide critical votes.
They support him until he becomes a political liability – and then they run like rats escaping a sinking ship. An example is Swalwell’s close friend, Congressman Reuben Gallego. When the first story broke, Gallego took to social media to defend his friend and colleague. When Swalwell’s toxicity level increased, Gallego blasted his old friend and demanded that he resign from Congress. Are we really to believe that Swalwell’s closest friend in Congress was that clueless? Hard to imagine.
Politically speaking, Swalwell is mortally wounded. All that remains is to see how the death throes play out. Arrest and prosecution? Rehab for sexual addiction? Divorce? Religious redemption? Whatever it is, Swalwell is politically dead. His own indiscretion ended his political career just as he was hoping to move up to higher office. His best option in terms of legacy is to be forgotten – as so many on the list of sexual predators have been.
Still unanswered is why would a rich, powerful and handsome guy resort to sexual assault? I still do not get it.
So, there ‘tis.
The democrats are more prone to being sex perverts. A party who thinks it’s okay for men to take it up the ass isn’t worth trying to fix. Just get rid of them. And I mean at the ballot box.
Howeirdung Whitesheeple: given how big an scared little ass you are, you must live in fear. Or joy.
And when you say rid, you obviously understand how it might be taken, you attempt to qualify it yourself, but leave it stand. You could have said, just vote them out at the ballot box, but you chose your words wisely, and used them.
It is the human condition and the American way that not everyone agrees with you, believes as you do, and acts as you do. If you think ridding us of them, ballot or not, will change your life, look to the mirror. That’s the guy who can change your life’s results. Ridding yourself of others won’t ease your personal frustrations one iota. Try, “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Works better.
Dunger. I don’t want anyone to harm you idiots. I’m not suggesting violence. But don’t worry about it. If you people don’t start shit there won’t be any. So stick with your fears. It’s all in your mind.
Howeirdung Whitesheeple: You are not suggesting violence and if we don’t start it, there won’t be any. Pretty much says if you FEEL we start shit, you will fell free to be violent. The key here is your definition of shit. Here you have proven you think I AM shit, so there it is. Which side of your lying face are you speaking from?
Fact is you said it; you knew how it looked re: violence, so you laid out a cheap excuse to cya while admitting how it would look to many. You did that instead of just choosing other words to same what you wanted to say; the same thing, without the stigma of potential violence. Twas a choice, you knew it, and you chose unwisely. Which is probably your problem with your hard-on against liberals anyway. It’s you, not us, that causes your frustrations.
Dunger when I said “start shit” I was referring to people here in the good old USA being attacked because of their political views. Or antisemitism. And much more. It’s ok to have different views but your party are bullying assholes. Remember Charlie Kirk? Probably not. You probably believe that the end justifies the means. But good old Trump. He’s still here and his great legacy will be remembered for generations. Partly because of the lies and false accusations. Russia gate didn’t work so try something else. Anyone who reads this post and agrees with me or Dunger should post us and have a better discussion.
Bendung: thanks for clarifying that Charley Kirk was assassinated and the cure is to vote against Democrats at the polling booth. Intelligent assessment.
As far as you being put upon by liberals —- show us the proof. You can’t even say Kirk was assassinated by a liberal; the guy was raised in a Republican household where Grandma said she can’t think of a singe democrat in the entire family… Show us your proof, good luck..
Does the end justify the means: maybe. Depends. Stupid suggestion since you have not a clue what I think.
RussiaGate was from 2013 to 2016, over a decade ago. Good that you remember. And while not indicted due to a lack of evidence, he was far from exonerated. The question is what the investigation unwarranted? It was not unless you believe that a Presidential Candidate with zero international political experience needs to meet with the Russians over 100 times BEFORE elected unlike any candidate throughout our entire history? Sure would want to investigate that. For any party I would think.
“The democrats are more prone to being sex perverts. A party who thinks it’s okay for men to take it up the ass isn’t worth trying to fix.” What a stupid lie he cannot prove.
BUSTED
Opps, my CRS is kicking in —- previous comment was for Howeirdung Whitesheeple. Multitasking, my bad.
I agree with your conclusion. I also think your story is based on your myopic world vision spinning left while ignoring sins of the right.
“Still unanswered is why would a rich, powerful and handsome guy resort to sexual assault? I still do not get it.” Truer words never spoken, but the answer should be the point of the story. You ask the question, then you raise your hands and say, ‘I dunno,’ look the other way, provide a list of offenders with notables like Epstein and Maxwell missing as if you too, are protecting the files making you a PDF.file protector (say it fast, you will get the joke). You only highlight the Swalwell example leaving Republicans out.
Sidebar: does it seem to you that Swalwell’s press “mugshot” has morphed towards an unshaven, kinda bloated, pasty-faced version of the man?
The fact that everyone knew, no one spoke out, and they are all Democrats seems spinful because it skips Republicans. Both sides did that with Epstein and Maxwell too. The public today knows more about Epstein’s world of rape, human trafficking, pedophilia, and sexual abuse, and most Republicans still stay mum, hide the evidence, leave them off lists, or get primaried if they speak up. You wonder why more women don’t come forward? In the past, you made fun of them, doubt them, and more. One of your reader’s even said, no witnesses, no crime. You just made fun of the entire class of MMIWG women saying: “Then why can I not stop laughing?” Makes a girl want to stand up for herself knowing your support. Even a little compassion goes a long way. Today, the public wants to see the evidence, the public wants justice, and the first lady wants the survivors to come forward, why? To be vilified one more time? Why not bring the Howard Lutnick’s of politics forward? Europe did. Why choose survivors over the accused, Melania? Hillary and Bill testified, why not Don and Melania? Where’s Larry’s call for that?
I think you could have been more objective by looking both ways before crossing this street. Why turn a blind eye to the right? Along with Swalwell, at the same time and with the same intensity, there’s the Republican Gonzales who ended his race and just stepped down from his office. He’s list worthy and a Swalwell equivalent abuser. I mean his story has a married guy with six kids, multiple requests for nekid pictures, multiple affairs with multiple women, a self-immolation suicide on camera, a death statement blaming the estranged husband for stepping out with the best friend, the estranged husband blaming Gonzales and asking for $300K, the husband’s new lover may be a guy, and more. Or the ongoing House ethics dance for the Republican Mills where Speaker No-johnson Johnson is slow-boating the process to retain his vote, while Mills confessed to police about the body bruises, the police called, marks seen, no charges filed, and all sorts of sexual fun. Better yet, Mills opens the comparison when he claims he’s not like Swalwell and Gonzalez. He’s single. Yeah, that makes it OK? These cases are ongoing today in Congress, at the same time as Swalwell and Mills is getting the slow-boat ethics route which could take years. You only looked left; are you really that jaded, that needy for a win? And why didn’t everyone who knew speak out?
Then: “Of all the presidents with robust sexual lives – from Thomas Jefferson to today – only three have been accused of sexual assault by self-proclaimed victims, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden and Donald Trump.” Is that what you call extramarital sex: robust? Another constrained definition restricted to abuse claims, especially given all the Presidents accused of all those sexual affairs. Or are you making fun again? Who is to say there was no abuse from 1776 to now. Pretty sure “robust sex” might be defined differently as Jefferson takes Hemmings when she is 14 or 15; they have six kids, and she’s a slave, his property, to do with as he wants, by law. Today, he’s a pedophile human sex trafficker statutory rapist slave master scum, at best. Don’t have to look hard to find more sexual abuse amongst our stars. Just have to look.
Why the spin? why spin it even more to the left. Clinton, Biden, accused, yes. Proven, never. You left that out. Lumping the accused in with the one who is adjudicated liable seems to say you believe both accused and adjudicated are the same? Clinton, Biden, accused, yes. Trump accused, yes, Proven, yes, four times, so far, in a court of law. First held liable, then appealed and held liable again. He is held liable for sexual abuse, and defamation two times so far, with one more scotus appeal to go. He’s not appealing on the facts, but on a Presidential immunity loophole, before he is President even… He previously countersued for defamation for the word rape to describe him. The judge, on the record, proves guilt a third time saying: “it’s rape in the common parlance of the term and only the statute of limitations saved you; you are a digital rapist.” It’s on the court record for his third swing at the bat. And the fourth time is when another court record concludes he paid for spanking sex, by magazine, then pays hush money to keep it out of the press to help win an election. I think an objective view would note the difference between accused and proven in a court of law. Not to mention being caught with a porn star while Melania nurses the Barron. Not to mention there’s another payoff to another Playmate model type in the record too, I presume for some sort of extramarital sexcapade. And all sorts of witnesses, under oath, not even challenged who said he did similar heinous things to them too. I would say that’s pretty stone cold fucking guilty of doing it multiple times and then basically admitting it but claiming immunity.
No Larry, I think there’s a huge difference between the accused and the proven guilty in a court of law.
Beyond your spin on the ball, we all ask, in all cases, why? Larry, at your age, you must know there are a million reasons and variables :educational, environment, and genetics based starting with our human sex drive driven by a dna-based primal objective to reproduce to sustain the species. There’s something reptilian-brained to the concept that “powerful men attract women for support, safety, and progeny, sometimes just for monetary payoffs. May have merit, but it’s the men who falter, it’s the men who fail.
I agree with you, what were they thinking?
Given the continued occurrence, I focus less on why they do it; don’t think you can affect that outcome, but instead, let’s focus on what’s wrong with people not stepping up to stop this shit sooner. Maybe if we nailed more people earlier, gave them hard punishments and time, we could make a few stop before they start. If Pelosi knew, I think she should be chastised heartily or worse. Johnson slow boating Mills should lose his seat. Even you, I know you are all for women’s rights, totally against sexual harassment and abuse, but still, systemic sexism exists just about everywhere in the US. I refer you to your own writings and comments, wondering how you could expect the victims to come forward to be told, no-witnesses-no-crime, you waited too long, or a plethora of attempted jokes by people when they do. I think we all need to stand up for women and perhaps even err on the side of believing them versus our tendencies to ignore, blame, blow off or make stupid jokes to divert the conversation. Let’s make some examples of people who stand silent when they should have stood up. That’s my best answer: let’s out the bastards, indict them, and put a few notables away. Enough of this shit. Then, let’s get some liars.
Frank Danger… You are spinning again. This article is about prominent people who have been accused of sexual assault. I listed the most prominent cases without any reference tot he political views. I mention three presidents accused — 2 Ds and 1 R — because that is all there is. This commentary draws the distinction between run of the mill sex scandals (which I covered in a previous commentary without political spin — naming both Ds and Rs). Your obsessive anti Horist filter is so strong you just cannot be objective. But then … we all know that.
Larry Horist: gee, no kudos for agreeing with your conclusion? Just your usual whining laced with snark. Again.
“I listed the most prominent cases without any reference tot he political views.” And I noted that you left Epstein and Maxwell off your list, two heinous criminals protected and coddled by both sides of the aisle, currently by Trump is the most mentioned name in the files and Epstein’s bestest friend. I dunno, sure seems prominent to me.
As well as highlighting Swalwell but ignoring Gonzalez and Mills, two Republicans. Sure seems equivalent to Swalwell and worth noting given their stature and timing. So, who is spinning? Again? Seems a glaring omission.
I also noted some other stuff like how you, and others seem to sluff off the victims and wondering why you don’t even attempt to answer your own headline question like by outing some of these sexual abuse and PDF.file protectors as a warning to others not to stay mum.
And the fact in your Presidential review that, in times past, the sexual abuse charge may have been viewed differently allowing Presidents like Jefferson to statutorily rape his bonded slave legally, but today would be considered pedophilia rape. She was 14 or 15 Larry. Did you overlook that too? Twice now?
I noted that yes, you noted that all three Presidents were accused, but you spinfully left out only one was held liable in a court of law for sexual abuse. Only one was convicted of a felony for hush money payments over some spanking sex. Three accused, only one held guilty in a court of law a few times for two crimes, but accused, on the record, under perjury, many times over. Seems a glaring omission. A major oops.
And yes, I accused you of spin which, like a child, you mirror back falsely. You leave out Republicans of equal measure; you avoid talking about conviction of a Republican, the sole conviction for any US President. Good try Ace, next time try support. And I am sorry for your DDS but we all have baggage. I could care less about Horist the person, but I enjoy looking at the facts on these issues. Try it sometime. I am sorry for your distress over your article’s shortcomings.
Frank Danger … Even on those RARE occasions when you express some agreement with my premise, you then pull out the knife and twist it with subordinate petty nitpicking criticism and ad hominin attacks. So don’t expect kudos. And for the record, you are mistaken … again. I did not leave out Republicans and did include Trump. Is it just lies … reading comprehension problems … or failing memory? And it is comedically ironic that you say you “care less about Horist the person” when so many of your nasty mendacious attacks are highly personal. You wallow in personal attacks … and it is not just me. It is your style. You can stop the sanctimonious bs because no one believes you. You are the master of projection.
Larry Horist: You appear to be whining now. Cry me a river. Amazing you can even spell “comprehension,” since it appears you have not a clue what it means.
I already noted you included Trump as accused, you must have miscomprehended that, and added “you noted that all three Presidents were accused, but you spinfully left out only one was held liable in a court of law for sexual abuse. Only one was convicted of a felony for hush money payments over some spanking sex. Three accused, only one held guilty in a court of law a few times for two crimes, but accused, on the record, under perjury, many times over. Seems a glaring omission. A major oops.” I stand uncorrected.
You also did not comprehend where I also accused you of: “highlighting Swalwell but ignoring Gonzalez and Mills, two Republicans. Sure seems equivalent to Swalwell and worth noting given their stature and timing. So, who is spinning? Again? Seems a glaring omission.” GLARING, but you still do not see.
And finally, you must have spaced out where “I noted that you left Epstein and Maxwell off your list, two heinous criminals protected and coddled by both sides of the aisle, currently by Trump is the most mentioned name in the files and Epstein’s bestest friend. I dunno, sure seems prominent to me.” Guess Epstein is just a footnote to Horist.
Often in the past I have asked you to show me, show us, when I get personal. Personally, I just think you make it up due to your extraordinary thin skin. And that you launch personal attacks much more frequently than most around here. Come on Spanky, when was the last time you even saw “pugnacious prick,” “the guy who picks a fight and then blames the other guy” just like you are doing here, again. But hey, I am game, show me the money or STFU.
Master of projection: you are the archetype of that around here son. Comprehend this ::!::
Frank Danger …. You are a joke. Once again you are wasting a lot of words on a days old commentary, LOL Once Again you resort to nasty ad hominin attacks. LOL Once again you use the Larry Horist of your imagination to describe me, LOL Once again you come across as the obsessive anti-Horist. LOL Once again you knowledge and logic are flawed, LOL Once again you appear to be an old man without much of a life other than bickering on PBP against everyone. LOL Once again, you defensiveness betrays some sort of insecurity. LOL Again your constant evaluation and judgements of yourself and others is self-serving nonsense, LOL And you are not likely to change. So, carry on you old fool. LMAO