Influencer and media personality Knowa De Baraso has publicly clashed with expelled former Congressman George Santos after he criticized his parents’ “parenting skills” over a viral TikTok video featuring US lawmaker Eric Swalwell.
The exchange, which has rapidly gained traction on social media and X, comes amid ongoing controversy regarding the allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against Swalwell.
The row between De Baraso and Santos began when Santos shared a post on X, reacting to a TikTok video in which De Baraso appeared alongside Swalwell. Santos wrote, “This kids parents have terrible parenting skills for the simple fact they bought their minor child anywhere near this predator.”
The career of Santos, a former Republican representative who was briefly considered a rising star in the Republican Party, was ruined by his numerous fraudulent statements.
Investigations into Santos previously revealed that he had made misleading statements about his mother’s connection to the September 11 attacks. According to the Guardian, Santos claimed that on the morning of September 11, 2001, his mother was working in her World Trade Center office. Fatima Devolder, his mother, was not in the United States in 2001.
Some X users were quick to weigh in, with many backing De Baraso and criticising Santos for targeting his family. An X user wrote under Santos’s X post, “Leave the kid & his family alone! How the hell were they supposed to know? I mean, all you perverts let your children hang around Trump the pedophile! Disgusting pig.”
Another X user, Nikki, called Santos out and wrote, “What about the parents that bring their kids to the White House?”
Others, however, continued to question the appropriateness of the TikTok video given the allegations surrounding Swalwell. An X user wrote, “Cringe ALERT Sorry kid, of all the dudes you had to make a video with.” To this Catturd, another X page replied with, “😬😬😬.”
Read more: Kamala Harris speaks to Knowa De Baraso about 2026 midterms, Trump’s ‘abuse of power’ and more
Santos reacts to Eric Swalwell’s allegations
Santos, who was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023 following multiple ethics violations and criminal charges, has remained an active and polarising voice on social media.
Santos reacted to the DOJ’s decision to investigate Swalwell’s sexual misconduct and wrote on X, “Expand this to be a Hot Line for anyone ever victimized by members of Congress. Congress does not have an HR and the office of congressional ethics is a JOKE!”
He praised Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, for providing a forum for victims to contact her office after the accusations against Swalwell emerged.
He further added, “Give potential victims an opportunity to come forward with the cover of the DOJ on their side.”
