Donald Trump’s “Drain the Swamp” Claim is Laughable
Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s statement during tonight’s speech before a joint session of Congress that he has “begun to drain the swamp of government corruption” is not backed up by his actions in the first month of his administration, said campaign finance watchdog Every Voice.
“Donald Trump’s claim that he has begun to drain the swamp is laughable,” said Adam Smith, communications director at Every Voice. “He has filled his administration with the same big donors, lobbyists, and Wall Street executives he said he’d fight if elected president. If he’s actually serious about draining the swamp, he’ll talk with the members of Congress in the audience tonight with real, comprehensive campaign finance proposals to reduce the power of special interests and give everyday people a bigger voice in the process.”
While Trump said he is draining the swamp, the facts tell another story:
- The lobbying executive order President Trump mentioned in his speech tonight—which includes a five-year lobbying ban on executive branch employees and a lifetime ban on lobbying for foreign governments—actually weakens some Obama-era restrictions.
- He has filled his cabinet and administration with major campaign donors
- After criticizing his opponents as “puppets” of Wall Street, he has given jobs to a handful Goldman Sachs executives and alumni.
- He promised to rid himself of conflicts of interest, but the past month has only highlighted how little he did to address the issue.