Eight years ago, Trump vowed to ‘drain the swamp.’ Now he swims in it.

The Washington Post ^ | October 11, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. EDT | Isaac Stanley-Becker and Josh Dawsey

[E. Pluribus Unum]

When clients tell Mercury Public Affairs, a consulting and lobbying shop with 18 offices worldwide, that they’re concerned about Donald Trump’s possible return to office, the firm has just the person to ease their nerves: Bryan Lanza.

“He gives them assurances that there will be life after Nov. 5,” said one of the colleagues, referring to Election Day.

Lanza declined to comment through a Mercury spokesman. A Trump spokesman did not respond to questions.

Eight years after Trump entered politics promising to reduce the influence of Washington lobbyists — to “drain the swamp,” as he put it — advocates for corporate interests, including companies based in China and other foreign countries denounced by Trump, now sit at virtually every level of his campaign. Lobbyists are represented among high-level staff, informal advisers and party faithful who planned the summer convention in Milwaukee, as people with access to Trump or insight into his at-times erratic decision-making turn that knowledge into moneymaking opportunities.

Trump’s campaign manager, Susie Wiles, is a Mercury partner alongside Lanza — and one of at least five people advising Trump who have advocated for tobacco, vaping or cannabis interests in recent years, according to lobbying disclosures and interviews.

At least two people close to the campaign have advocated for Chinese-owned TikTok. One of them, former Trump White House aide Kellyanne Conway, served not as a registered lobbyist, according to people familiar with the arrangement, but as a consultant for Club for Growth, the conservative group whose biggest donor is invested in TikTok’s parent company. The other, David Urban, is a veteran of Trump’s two previous campaigns and still travels frequently with the former president — and has registered to lobby for the company. He now works for BGR Group, a prominent lobbying firm with foreign clients including India. He...

[falcon99]

It seems the more writers writing a Wash Post article there are, the stupider the article. Think the WP is trying to compete with the NYTs to be the most corrupt, dishonest and partisan paper in the country.

[WeaslesRippedMyFlesh]

“On the bright side though, maybe it’s progress when the pinkos at the Post admit that The Swamp is a real thing.”

Right?! Great Point!

Okay WoPo, explain your lack of curiosity!

Stunning admission. Wait there’s a curtain? and you knew about it Oz Post?!

[Redleg Duke]

Another beer fart from the Washington Compost.

[Revel]

The WP is one of the darkest players in the swamp.

[Honorary Serb]

“Democracy goes here to die.”

[9YearLurker]

As published in the Washington Swamp Post.

[Liaison]

I thought Trump learned enough to doggy paddle with floats but not sink to the bottom.

[clearcarbon]

"Eight years ago, Trump vowed to ‘drain the swamp.’ Now he swims in it."

[MosesKnows]

It is difficult to drain the swamp when you're up to your ass in alligators. Go Trump!