Donald Trump is arguably the most controversial President in American history, divided the opinions of the citizens like no other politician before him. Having kept one of his promises to drain the swamp, he learnt the hard way that it’s easier said than done. Trump learned the swamp was not some swampland he could clean out, but it was the people in leadership that caused corruption and difficulty in politics. As he looks forward to 2024, Trump understands the swamp is really the individuals in power.
One reason President Trump learned that the swamp was the people in leadership is due to the resistance he encountered trying to execute his policies. Trump often faced strong opposition from the Democrats who controlled the House of Representatives during his tenure. Also, he had little support from the establishment Republicans who rejected his unconventional methods of operating. It became clear to Trump that the vested interests of the lawmakers and their focus on winning the next election over the needs of the country created a culture of swampiness that was hard to penetrate.
Furthermore, Trump’s experience in Washington highlighted the issue of lobbying, which was one of the swamps most significant perpetrators of corruption. Many lobbyists positions are lucrative and often encourage people serving in the government to be more influenceable, causing a conflict of interest. Trump realized that the hidden hand of lobbyists dictated many of the policies that made it to his desk, much of which was not always in the best interest of the ordinary citizen but was always beneficial to those with the most political power and deep pockets.
Also, the role of the media came to light for Trump, realizing that they had a big influence on those in power within Washington D.C. The media often focused on manufactured scandals, rather than policy issues, further reinforcing the divisions present in politics. The media not only influenced what the public thought about him but also had an impact on the opinions of the politicians who chose to side with him or not. He learnt that many of the media organizations were owned by wealthy individuals who had a particular agenda that was not always beneficial to the majority of American citizens.
In conclusion, President Trump understands the swamp was the people in leadership. It is not a physical location but a culture of vested interests that corrupted politics. However, his understanding of this concept has become wider, and he better knows how to navigate the maze of Washington. Trump will need to address the issue of deep-rooted corruption in American politics if he wants to run successfully in 2024. He will have to inspire a grassroots campaign that will help him level the playing field against the establishment Republicans, lobbyists, and mainstream media.
