US congressman Eric Swalwell forced to deny breaking wind during live interview after clip goes viral with #fartgate hashtag

Bronwen Weatherby19 November 2019

A US Congressman has denied loudly passing wind during a live interview after the clip went viral with the hashtag #fartgate.

Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, was being quizzed by presenter Chris Matthews of MSNBC show Hardball about the impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump when the distinct sound was heard.

Mr Swalwell, who is a member of the House Intelligence Committee, had paused in the middle of a comment when the noise was caught on camera.

He said: "So far the evidence... is uncontradicted, that the president used tax payers dollars to ask the Ukrainians to help him cheat... an election."

The noise was heard during the second pause. He appeared to smile slightly afterwards.

The Congressman appeared to stifle a laugh after the noise
MSNBC

The footage went viral, trending on Twitter with #fartgate.

Mr Swalwell strongly denied farting live on TV, telling Buzzfeed reporter Addy Baird : "It was not me!!!!!"

He then added: "Ha. And I didn't hear it when I was speaking.

Asking the hard questions to a US Congressman
MSNBC

"I def did not hear it."

Ms Baird posted the text conversation on Twitter and commended the Congressman for being "a good sport".

Hardball eventually released a statement explaining the sound had been a mug scraping across the presenter's desk.

The channel used the opportunity to plug its branded mugs for sale online.

The tweet read: "Sorry to disappoint the conspiracy theorists - it was the #hardball mug scraping across the desk. Get yours today and let's ge back to the news!"

But, even the network's own journalists joined in the online banter, including Mark Taylor of NBC 4.

Others pointed out the age old wisdom attached to those who deny breaking wind in public.

Even the US President's son joined in with a jibe at Mr Swalwell, adding: "Most intelligible thing to come out of Swalwell in years."

Some also joked that the moment had made America "great again."

Mr Trump is being investigated due to a phone call with Ukraine's president this summer during which it is alleged he asked the foreign leader to dig up dirt on his Democratic opponent.

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