The Swamp Survived: Why Trump Failed to “Drain the Swamp"

As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump promised to “drain the swamp.”
He didn’t.
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Trump made government bigger.
He hired new employees, doubled federal spending, and started a bunch of new programs.
Now the swamp is bigger.
In our new video, Economist Ed Stringham explains the real way to drain the swamp is to cut the spending that swamp creatures feed on.

[@scotthoover1568]

Neither Republicans nor Democrats are in favor of small government. They both want big government, just for different purposes. We need a truly small government party

[@ryanvannice7878]

I don't really think Democrats and Republicans are different. They play act that they are, but are really upper class rich who use politics to divide the rest. United mid and lower classes is a threat.

[@Porcupine19]

We have had one for years, but the duopoly keeps it away from power.

[@9razzler9]

There have always been other parties. But people are too brainwashed into believing there's only 2 parties lol thats how effective the social engineering has been. Democrats or republicans it's really 2 sides of the same coins. Why do you think their policies are extremes? To make it easy for people of each side to identify

[@Bob-bb3ur]

$$$

[@voodooros]

No no no, most viewers here think that Republicans are good party or at least better party than Democrats.

[@manymusings]

Dismantle the alphabet agencies.

[@9razzler9]

When I read comments like this I'm glad the people who wrote it aren't in power. If you dismantle intelligence departments... We will be invaded by enemy powers. Wars using tank are the ones poeple see. But the wars where spycraft and intelligence sharing to thwarts dangerous espionages are real wars that happen behind the scenes people never get to see.

[@voodooros]

Let's start with ICE and DHS.

[@manymusings]

@voodooros I was thinking more of IRS, CIA, FBI, ATF, EPA, and down the line.

[@voodooros]

@@manymusings yes, of course why would you think about ICE and DHS. Because you love those agencies.

[@manymusings]

@voodooros well, those agencies are within the original purview of the role of the federal government. They should be audited and realigned most definitely, but homeland security is definitely the job of the federal government.

[@lubrown188]

Gov't size has increased by 40% since Covid. With 36 trillion in debt, we MUST decrease it by 75%.

[@garybulwinkle82]

We must fire Government workers to shrink the Government......PERIOD!!! Even if we fired 75%, it still may be too late to save our monetary system, but they are increasing spending!!! They truly are delusional!!!

[@lubrown188]

@garybulwinkle82 Absolutely. Couldn't agree more, but we have to try. Too much waste spending.. Let's use the President of Argentina (Melei? pronounced May-lay) as an example. He 's doing great things with the corrupt!ion in his Gov't. Bravo. 👏👏🙏👍

[@kishascape]

Also we now pay more taxes on everything, first Amazon so I went to eBay and now PayPal charges sales tax on everything so I went to independent store websites and now a lot of them charge sales tax, many times on orders that don’t qualify and aren’t supposed to be taxed to begin with. And let’s not forget what a weak spine he was not pardoning Assange.

[@barfo281]

Thanks to Leftist Donnie.

[@kroan49]

I like John Stossel, he's seems like a very honest journalist. He's critical of both sides of the aisle which I can get behind.

[@tonyromano6220]

Yep.

[@crw662]

He’s critical of both sides because he does not belong to the duopoly. He’s libertarian.

[@kishascape]

@@crw662but an actual libertarian, not a fake one like Garry Johnson whatever his face from 2016.

[@crw662]

@@kishascape What is Lepo?

[@satsubatsu347]

@@kishascape Yes save for the fact that he allows government to give him tax breaks and subsidies...

[@jamessmith785]

Government is terrible at literally everything

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

It was literally designed to be that way.

[@yokosucks]

Except hemorrhaging money through incompetence, fraud, waste, and abuse.

[@keithmaniscalco8158]

He wasn't as successful because the swamp made it harder for him. He meant well but couldn't do it all on his own with enemies all around him.

[@LogicalLighting]

Gov as a parasite is remarkably good at leeching off everyone.

[@smithwrx5910]

Yeah and the banks they never mess up Elon musk no rockets ever blew up. Not a single car manufacturer has ever gone bankrupt. Bro listen and listen well it's all ran by humans. Just say the government can't do anything.... You're in a bubble

[@ericsfishingadventures4433]

The swamp is not able to drained because it's the 4th branch of unelected bureaucrats that were never supposed to be part of the government, unfortunately corruption infects every form of government throughout history

[@flight2k5]

You obviously didn’t watch the video 😂

[@r.tothea.tother.4221]

The CIA with arms. FBI, Hollywood, Elites, IRS, WEF, other 3 letter entities.

[@WayneLynch69]

Stossel, whom I generally like very much, is utterly misconceived in his 'both parties promote the swamp'. Even Defense has become a Democrat subsidiary. EVERY Dim vote is purchased with tax-payer's money: govt."jobs"/unions floated by govt/welfares/eco-Nazis/defaulting students/THE LARGEST non-union donor are injury attorneys (ONLY US does not have "loser pays") Dims purchasing VOTES with tax-payer's money IS THE CAUSE OF ALL DEBT!

[@sidwhiting665]

The swamp is not able to be drained because 90% of American like their part of the swamp. They just want that part over there drained and funneled into their part of the swamp. Find me the group that says, "Cut my benefits by 70%" and you've found the people who really want to drain the swamp. Tell me who they are... anyone, anyone? Bueller?

[@HealthyDisrespectforAuthority]

We have the tech and global logistics folks to make all centralized governments obsolete.. it's time.

[@desertrose57]

The largest employer in the United States is the government.

[@matthewhermon2677]

Government programs are never evaluated on their bad results, only their good intentions (Thomas Sowell)

[@ManuelBTC21]

"The swamp doesn't have a political party" I beg your pardon?! It has two!

[@bhough410]

2 wings of the same eagle...we have a uni-party that increasingly doles out more of our money plus interest to largely the same lobbyists groups.

[@Qaptyl]

more than two

[@jessereinhardt6320]

Our political system with two parties is actually a false dichotomy. It doesn't matter who you vote for - gubment will just keep getting bigger.

[@wheel-man5319]

Exactly! 💯

[@PawPawGreg]

Come on, you know the point was that "the swamp" is not JUST a Republican or JUST a Democrat problem.

[@BullsEye3333]

3 cents to make 1 cent. That sums of government perfectly.

[@infiad1275]

No sense!

[@ulyssesgrant4324]

the funny thing it used to cost 1 and half cents to make a penny like twelve years ago.

[@fuckcensorship69]

Why do we still have pennies?

[@jackson5116]

at least it's down to 3, at one point it was 6 cents!

[@51sicboy]

@@jackson5116 You just summed up the average American mind set. I hear so many people say the same thing about gas prices. So many have thrown in the towel and just don't care anymore.

[@mauganra2589]

This video should have hundreds of millions of views. Neither party has any interest in hearing the truth.

[@terryo1463]

That's hilarious how many trillions has the current administration spent?

[@chrisjames8997]

Are you missing the point? Stossel tends to favor Libertarianism. The focus of this is Trump. He did not drain the swamp. He will not. We don’t need a Captain Obvious to point out spending under Biden even though his own supporters also, like Trump’s, ignore his massive egregious spending. This is why having to choose between both of these failed Presidents is a nightmare. Also, keep in mind, Trump’s tax cuts are still in effect. The economy is using band-aids for seriously broken bones. Printing excess money and more debt has been the problem for decades. It must stop. Trump did help to create inflation. Housing is the root cause. Housing prices went up under Trump. Has been for decades. Wages need to rise to afford living. Prices of goods and services go up to match. Inflated prices on one thing, raises others. The printing of money lessened its buying power. Do not vote for Trump or Biden. They failed.

[@readrothbard153]

There ya go, dismiss Trump's criminal levels of spending and debt becauze someone else also made a terrible president. 🤦‍♂️ Partisan hack

[@saints146]

Whataboutism

[@chrisjames8997]

The video subject is criticism of Trump’s false claim of draining the swamp. A reality check that should be taken seriously that he never did. We all know Biden is that swamp. So do you approve of Trump’s actions during his administration as highlighted in this video? That is the question without resorting to, yeah but Biden. That is why I am voting for RFK Jr. Both Biden and Trump egregiously overspent, added greatly to the debt which caused the inflation we are seeing today. Can you defend Trump?

[@kishascape]

Also like how he mentions pandering to women but is afraid to mention the pandering black people trump also did.

[@jefferydebbink282]

What disturbs me is that so many politicians and people think that government needs to be involved in so much. Journalists lament about how miserable air travel is in the United States. Their solution: more government control!! If you look at all the industries where customer service is awful or where are the most issues, it’s often because government is involved.

[@dionrau5580]

Exactly dismantle eighty percent of the alphabet agencies and probably make things run Better, More efficiently, FJB and the so called administration. TRUMP 24 🇺🇲 AMERICA FIRST 🇺🇲 MAGA FOREVER 🇺🇲

[@vphls]

Trump is not our savior. All branches of government have been trampling on our freedoms for over a century now. It is up to We the People Patriots to save the country. I say dismantle failed Constitutional Government or anything with the word govern in it, and go back to a system of protections of our Rights as the anti-Federalist Founders originally intended. People are still too comfortable and complacent.

[@josealexi5141]

the ONLY thing government excels at is red tape, budget overruns and making a mess.

[@TheHolySC]

Air travel is "lower quality" today because tickets are a lot more affordable. A one way ticket from New York to London used to cost $750 back in the early 80's. That ticket is cheaper today, even though salaries are up 3-4x. I would take the slightly smaller seat and worse quality food for a flight that much cheaper.

[@ulyssesgrant4324]

President Wilson nationalized the Railroad, President Roosevelt nationalized a war industries, and President Truman attempted to nationalize the Steel Industry all from one side, really.

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

"There is nothing more permanent than a temporary government program"

[@jacquelinel1618]

For example- The tolls.

[@rdmez1]

Kinda like, "If you think healthcare is high now, wait till it's free."

[@alphaspartan]

God I fear the day when it's taken over by govt. I have many Canadian patients that tell me it's hell in some ways to get in to see a doctor whereas here it's much easier. Ppl come to the ED with a scrape on the knee or the sniffles because why not, it doesn't cost them anything. And they have a severe shortage of docs because their gov doesn't pay them as well as they get paid in the USA so they all graduate from college which is subsidized by the govt to be very cheap and then they immediately move to the USA where they make way more money and don't have to deal with a shit govt healthcare system.

[@jacquelinel1618]

@@alphaspartan My dad told me this when I was a teen when I told him that health care should be free. He was right. It’s hard to find a specialist in Canada.

[@funnybobjr]

I never thought "draining the swamp" to mean "decrease the size of government". I always took it to mean "get rid of the corruption in Washington"

[@lobbyrobby]

Same

[@kuraimaskorner3757]

"They're the Same Picture".

[@dukiedianef6404]

Adding more bureaucrats isn't drainage.

[@TearThatRedFlagDown]

Well, by decreasing the size of government you also get rid of corruption. Corruption is so prevalent because the government is in control of so many things, all of which it has absolutely no business meddling in.

[@TiroDvD]

Why not both? Both is good. //El Dorado meme

[@vikker8274]

The low hanging fruit was, and always will be, the federal department of education. If it was gone tomorrow, with by-state funding returned proportionately to those 50 states, zero negative consequences. It no is a jobs program for people who take easy college majors. Until we see that department abolished, it’s all bluster.

[@alphaspartan]

I'm with you there. It absolutely is a jobs program for people who want an easy major in college.

[@willstikken5619]

Several of these departs could be handled like welfare in the 90's, convert them into block grant programs and let the states figure out how to make them work. This is a transitory state with the intent of eventually removing the departments all together.

[@dkarukas]

I remember listening to Rush Limbaugh in 2017. Rush was very concerned that Trump didn't take the DC swamp resistance serious enough. Trump thought that once the election was over that DC would would fall in line and work with him. Rush tried to warn him that the swamp hates him and would hamstring Trump at every chance they could. Again, Rush was right.

[@FLABrowncoat]

RIP Maha Rushie

[@unregistereduser1088]

Trump also brought his own swamp with him and was easily blinded by the MIC swamp creatures. It really is one of his growing failures.

[@Windvaleblue1]

And that was some real good advice. Hope things will be different next time around!!

[@TeamICOS]

I feel fine blaming Trump for being overly optimistic and too quick to concede to "the swamp", but it seems ridiculous to place all this blame on him in the video. They sued Trump for every little thing and his cabinet and advisors were lying to him constantly.

[@divinecomedian2]

Or perhaps Trump lied

[@jayherrick3716]

Get rid of the ATF and the IRS.

[@alexandrawhitelock6195]

OK…sooo…end IRS. No public schools, infrastructure, medicare/medicaid, police, and just keep going… THINK 🙄🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@papasquat355]

The gov't needs every penny it gets but never gets every penny it needs.

[@NotMyWar]

@@alexandrawhitelock6195 and yet those things existed before the IRS... weird

[@alexandrawhitelock6195]

@@NotMyWar i dont have time, nor interest in researching this. But if there were no taxes collected most critical things would come to an end and it would be devastating. Life's not free.

[@tygerstripes3752]

The way to control the IRS is to establish a Flat Tax. One rate for Individuals and one rate for Business. But Biden more than doubled the employees in the IRS.

[@rootvalley2]

Stossel is amazing, when I was like 10 years old listening to him with my parents on 60 minutes it was like a breath of fresh air. Here he is 30 years later I still love what he says.

[@jasonlovell3934]

The federal government should not be involved in 50% of the things they are doing.

[@liawweileong6036]

Only as controversial as Javier Milei of Argentina will be that radical enough to try draining the swamp.

[@Stevarooni]

The Argentinian President is a lot more powerful than the American President.

[@majermike]

hell yea Javier!!!!

[@thecwd8919]

Viva la liberatad carajo!

[@O1OO1O1]

Javier "WEF collaborator, possible Zionist" Milei. A different type of radical to what you were expecting, perhaps.

[@thabilldozer]

Agentina is a good example of Libertarianism at work.

[@azuth11]

Anything the government touches, the government makes worse.

[@apolloomd4939]

Exactly. I voted for Trump twice and will do so again. That being said, Trump is not going to save America. Sorry to burst bubbles. Best we can hope for is a tiny slowing of the American collapse. I have tried to tell Trump apologists everything that was mentioned in this video and it goes in one ear and out the other. Our debt cannot be overcome without horrific sacrifices the American people can’t even imagine. Most major countries are stocking up on gold because the dollar collapse is coming. All most of us can do is get water, food, and supplies while we can. Get prepared now. Crazy times are coming.

[@AnimeSquirrel]

This is why i love John Storrel. I grew up with his investgative journalist pieces on TV and im so glad to rediscover him as an adult.

[@tannerbroyles]

I know Trump didn’t drain the swamp, but he at least acknowledges that it is there and it is a bad thing. Most politicians act like it’s not a thing……

[@WintertimeNow]

An illusion to make the majority believe their votes do something.

[@readrothbard153]

What a victory from the man who was supposedly 5 moves ahead everyone else.. Dude was a disaster

[@tannerbroyles]

@@readrothbard153 a disaster compared to what?? I’ll take Trump over any of these other anti American politicians….

[@patrickbateman1660]

There is zero difference then. Your point is trump panders better? Wow great job.

[@saints146]

And he made it worse.

[@marky657]

The Department of Education needs to bye bye. They allegedly have a SWAT team. Really.

[@sidwhiting665]

That, and 70% cuts across the board to EVERY agency and department... yes, even military and programs for seniors. A true swamp drainer understands it ALL needs to be cut, drastically.

[@jacobbaker5442]

the government needs to bye bye. they extort people.

[@jackiejeppson3075]

Yes called the FBI.

[@captjack2112]

Trump failed because he underestimated how big the swamp encompasses. I've always said screw the swamp we need to drain the oceans!

[@strayedarticle2838]

The beginning of the video explains it perfectly. He threw trillions to the government, and their donors, just like Biden is doing now.

[@hoboonwheels9289]

He hasn't succeeded yet, failure only happens when you quit.

[@saints146]

He didn't try

[@willstikken5619]

Trump did not fail to drain the swamp and accidentally increased both the budget and workforce for those bureaucrats. Trump failed because he is the living embodiment of incompetence intersecting with a lack of desire for change. There are really only two types of Trump accomplishments, utter delusions and dumb luck that something happened where he could take credit.

[@ssugarmd]

The fact that he was unable to drain more of the swamp is testimony to how powerful it has become. At least he didn't throw money away on endless wars!

[@FRN2013]

In Florida, the swamp is limited to the Everglades. DeSantis has reduced spending, cut taxes, and has given money back to FL taxpayers. But the GOP chose an entertaining clown rather than a dull but very competent administrator to be its leader.

[@Garrick1983]

Trump is a good pick and picked by the people not the GOP, so you’re wrong on that point. We had multiple candidates to pick from and Trump won fairly. DeSantis was the better pick but since the right has fair elections unlike the DNC who didn’t allow Kennedy to run. The GOP doesn’t like Trump. The worst right wingers are still far better than anything on the left.

[@beerinmind]

Absolutely. The GOP has no use for a real conservative

[@alphaspartan]

I like DSAtan and voted for him twice as gov. But Trump is great too. If he's removed as FL gov to be president or vice president it'll hurt Florida. Who are they going to replace him with?

[@FRN2013]

Typical childish Trumpish nickname, and Trumpish lack of logic. DeSantis will be FL gov for only 2 more years, and then he can't run again, per FL law. And DeSantis has turned FL from 'purple' to solid 'red.' He has helped many fine FL conservatives get elected. One of those would replace him.

[@FRN2013]

You like him but call him Satan. That says a lot about you. :/

[@cisforcat]

This is why I respect and trust John Stossel. He is one of the last true journalists who offers a clear reporting on BOTH sides, without gaslighting and pandering to a particular group.

[@ttc99wilson]

I used to respect him until he did a segment during covid about the clot shot. He said he thought those who didnt take it were being selfish.

[@mikesolns1364]

@@ttc99wilson Post it here or give its title for confirmation

[@manofthetombs]

Truth!

[@ttc99wilson]

around the 5 minute mark

[@mikesolns1364]

@@ttc99wilson Not on this video

[@MrChip1217]

Like the adage, “ the thing about the left-wing and the right wing is they are all part of the same bird.”

[@9razzler9]

This. People are so brainwashed they believed those 2 are the only choices. And it's shocking that people went along with it

[@philcaprino]

Yes they work different sides of the one way street. Trump was completely Zionist controlled.

[@anovino1992]

​@@9razzler9 What could he have done, when he was being lied to left and right. He was hampered from the beginning until now. Every agency are guilty of subverting his administration.

[@garycarpenter2932]

@@9razzler9 believe me, in my many decades of voting, i understand the concept of the uniparty. one thing to ponder though, why is it that both 'parties' fight tooth and nail to keep trump out of office. the very reason he gets my vote again.

[@FRN2013]

Clueless Gary is the reason why corrupt clowns like Trump get elected. Trump gets your vote because people don't like him? People don't like him because he's a world-class jerk, a criminal, and a failure!

[@user-ef1vs1nt4o]

We do not need to drain the swamp. We need to flush the toilet!

[@bboyscam9727]

Possibly the worst administrative President in history.

[@SomeeGuyy]

It's not a swamp anymore. It's an ocean.

[@johng.8600]

The swamp is deeper than anyone imagined

[@gibrancaballero]

How stupid do someone has to be, talking through sheer ignorance?

[@strategygaming5830]

@@gibrancaballero sorry buddy don't see you up there destroying your own personal life to even attempt to get rid of one corrupt person. Keep being useless and complaining while offering 0 solutions.

[@MrHouseparty6]

@@gibrancaballero You, in example? Sophist.

[@dragonkyng]

And Trump dug it even deeper

[@ClarisseRockinThatBow]

I am acquainted with a number of government workers. They LOVE how the Federal System works. They love their plentiful benefits, vacations and personal days (adding up to 4-5 months). It's never about streamlining redundant agencies. It's about how they can create more! This has been going on for probably 90 years - and it's not easy to slash and burn. They create new departments and agencies to create more positions! Government is too massive to try to tackle efficiently, but we must try. Privatize agencies like the Swedes do. I'm willing to give Trump another chance. Make sure you vote in candidates who want to drain the swamp, too.

[@mxjame546]

Trump wasn't even a politician to begin with. He is alone against the entire DC swam. He did an amazing job at exposing it though. We would never realize how bad it is without him. Another 4 years will make good of his promise

[@markmatt9174]

I agree but the Swamp has too much power vs the President. It's Congress that needs reigned in. Time to cut 3 letter agencies by 50% (half of them need gone 100%) and the others 50% kess budget.

[@ericsfishingadventures4433]

Agreed

[@dionrau5580]

Maybe they can learn to code...

[@radfoo72]

C👁A conspired to keep information from Trump during his presidency despite him having clearance for such All While investigating him for being a Russian asset. James O'Keefe recently released video of a C👁A employee admitting this. The pip who squeaked got fired and C👁A spokesperson denied the information. lol You get more truth Off the record, on the record it's an entirely different story all wrapped up nicely with a bow🙄

[@flight2k5]

You obviously didn’t watch the video 😂

[@mplp1959]

@@flight2k5You obviously lack thinking skills. Pay attention. Learn.

[@BB-cf9gx]

Close the EPA.

[@bigseff23]

Atf too

[@dionrau5580]

They can learn to code... FJB.

[@taylorjams4845]

100%

[@NotMister]

I agree EPA has too much power and they have no constitutional authority over us.

[@fuckcensorship69]

It could be one of the only useful agencies....but it's been compromised like all

[@user-uh9vd4zo2f]

That swamp is DEEP AND WIDE, and I'll be THIS TIME WILL BE A HELLA'VA LOT DIFFERENT!

[@kenreynolds1000]

For all the Trump Defenders, Stossel is correct and Trump needs to really do something about it this time or he will go down as a celebrity president and not a good president.

[@readrothbard153]

He can't and won't do anything. He is a big spending progressive at heart

[@TheMountainBeyondTheWoods]

Yeah, Trump turned out to be just another big disappointment.

[@willstikken5619]

Trump has already gone down as "not a good president". No one who was paying attention really expected anything else from him. The few things I liked form his administration tended to be from appointees doing things Trump tends to oppose.

[@kenreynolds1000]

@@willstikken5619 I get it. But the next election hasn’t happened and if he gets elected, he could finish strong. Not that he has a great track record, but if you look at 2nd terms, they can be wildly different than the first 4.

[@willstikken5619]

@@kenreynolds1000 I think that "wildly different" bit is what drives most of the fear around a Trump second term given his temperament, public statements and rhetoric.

[@247tubefan]

Too many Lagoon Creatures.

[@gibrancaballero]

Too many gullibles to believe in his BS?

[@k.dickie8972]

I call them "Simple Serpents".

[@OpinionFactChecker]

The Blue Lagoon brought us a naked Brook Shield.

[@247tubefan]

@OpinionFactChecker And the DC Swamp brought us Drunk Nancy Pelosi on a bright Sunday Morning.

[@247tubefan]

@OpinionFactChecker And the DC Swamp brought us a Drunk Nancy Pelosi on a bright Sunday Morning.

[@williambrownjr2346]

The old saying, 'it's good enough for government work" has met reality and is no longer a joke.

[@jarrodvsinclair]

Trump saying the swamp was deeper then he thought is the understatement of the century

[@yoonigan]

I lived in Oklahoma for a few years and the DMV there was privatized and not ran by the government and it was awesome. Walked in with no appointment and got my license renewed in under 10 minutes and when I bought a car, you could actually shop around in different towns for cheaper tags, it was great.

[@drewelliott9062]

I think he underestimated how big, powerful and evil the swamp is.

[@davidanalyst671]

STOP MAKING EXCUSES, TRUMP HAD NO INTENTION OF CUTTING GOVERNMENT CRAP.

[@f308gtb1977]

Trump is either a liar or an idiot or both, WAKE UP.

[@bhough410]

I think his "fans" underestimated how much rhetoric he was willing to spew out with zero plan to back it with any action, so he could win the countries largest popularity contest.

[@f308gtb1977]

@@bhough410 nailed it.👆🏻

[@strayedarticle2838]

I think you underestimated how easily right wing media could influence you to support another scam.

[@sunshinehoward9649]

When the bureaucracy is so BIG and you can't reign it in, you HAVE THIS. You're welcome. 😁😁

[@n5sdm]

Yeah....he had no idea.....NOW he has a very good idea of how deep the swamp is

[@beluga101]

The swamp got bigger than ever.

[@genericwatcher2439]

His own party fought him, he did what he could.

[@majermike]

maybe he did what he could or maybe he played ball with the entrenched politicians and corporations to make a quick buck

[@ridingtheroad185]

AS he sad the swamp has no Political Party it is just the pockets of many.

[@josealexi5141]

yes. losers like Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney who are bought-off by lobbyists

[@Bob-bb3ur]

It is all about the $$$

[@starptgr]

Trump just wants his own swamp installed.

[@friendsofjimmys]

Turned out to be an Ocean.

[@rolson1695]

LOVE how you go after BOTH political parties, and educate us, John. Super enlightening and helpful -Thank you!!

[@DeplorableKulak-vp8ej]

ABOLISH THE FEDERAL RESERVE AND FRACTIONAL RESERVE BANKING PRACTICES AND PER ANNUM INTEREST RATES WHEIGHTED TO THE FRONT SIDE OF THE LOAN 😡

[@snapon1974]

We needed limited government, sadly that horse left. The government is now a self serving bureaucracy.

[@jacobbaker5442]

government of any size will always be a self serving bureaucracy

[@raptango_na6199]

He said, "We are going to drain the swamp," but wound up having to try to do it alone.

[@johnwong5317]

I read enough Light Novels to see so many pretend to support you, but then backstabbed you all along. That's the problem he faced, but it's also why 2nd time is better because nothing like REVENGE arc ;p

[@suckmysilencer747]

Because He picked the nearly the worst possible administration members to do it

[@jeffhatmaker817]

He had to do it alone because his whole staff (that he chose) were swamp creatures.

[@dragonkyng]

Trump was always the biggest swamp creature. If you can’t see that, the GOP is fucked

[@melissajames23]

​@@jeffhatmaker817 agreed, that's what happens when you hire career politician, they don't want to stab the other rats in the back and ruin their futures.

[@outofcompliance1639]

Defund the government.

[@zski1]

Trump got in over his head and didn't realize how deep the swamp is. He knows now....

[@strayedarticle2838]

He knew then, and he talked about it often. That didn't stop him from feeding the swamp $7.8 trillion in one term.

[@zski1]

@@strayedarticle2838 I don't necessarily disagree, but many of these programs helped people. Even though more people were hired, there were other bureaus reallocated or assigned these programs. And as a result, the economy benefited in the end. Honestly, the swamp is too deep for one person to eradicate.

[@strayedarticle2838]

@@zski1 You do realize all that spending is why we have inflation now, right?

[@zski1]

@@strayedarticle2838 Hahaha. Wow. Do you know what the inflation number was when Trump left office? Even after COVID? Look it up and you’ll be surprised. These inflation numbers were a direct result of many of Biden’s policies. You can’t deny that and if you do, it’s because you choose to.

[@welshie2007]

​@strayedarticle2838 The inflation started under Biden. If it drops when trump returns you might understand tgat Biden is the problem, because Biden spent way more tgan Trump... on his wars.

[@seandelap8587]

No one could imagined just how deep the swamp was prior to 2016

[@josealexi5141]

no, LOTS of us knew!

[@melvingibson4525]

He made it deeper too lol

[@sidwhiting665]

Everyone knows how deep the swamp is. And 95% of people do not care. They want their side to stay deep and get deeper. The only cuts they'll ask for is from their political opponents. Find me the person who says, "Cut my funding 70%" and you have found a true swamp drainer. There are almost none of those. I'm one, though. I want to never receive $1 of social security or Medicare benefits, ever.... if the Govt will just stop taxing me for it now. I need about 50 million more people to share that view if there will ever be a real swamp draining of Govt run pensions.

[@f308gtb1977]

Cope harder, @Sean. Maybe SuperTrump will save you THIS time.

[@neilreynolds3858]

Since it had been growing every year since the Civil War, yes we could.

[@MarkSinger-uk5wz]

Cut taxes from the bottom up and cut government from the top down

[@shaundiltz5821]

He needs to do what Argentinian president did.

[@tientran7492]

You did not drain the swamp Trump! You need to do better!

[@AlarakTheHighLord]

Abolish the EPA and IRS

[@AdamSternberg]

LOTS of government agencies need to go. The NEA is completely worthless too, and so many other organizations.

[@topnotchcupoftea]

But who would steal all the tax payer dollars without them ?

[@ericbunker6242]

The Uniparty fought him left and right. Executive orders are not the way to govern. President needs Congress to work with him to reign in government.

[@ejpaladin]

And THAT is why it will never happen. Unless there are more individuals who support small & limited government than those who don’t, we will NEVER drain the swamp or return to the size of government pre-Roosevelt.

[@hrdman2luv]

You really think Trump wanted to drain the swamp? He didn't fight to drain the swamp. He didn't fight to reduce the size and scope of government. FFS, he vetoed only 1 spending bill in his 4 years. Only 1. That's not really putting up a fight.

[@strayedarticle2838]

They cosigned his whole agenda. They just made a show of opposing him on tv. You didn't follow events closely.

[@ericbunker6242]

@@strayedarticle2838 I disagree. Congress opposed him, not passing legislation to support his agenda. Deep State lied to him and thwarted him. They all worked to reduce his long-term impact on the nation.

[@readrothbard153]

So, you're saying he wasn't this brilliant businessman who was 4 moves ahead of everyone else and was just another feckless and worthless politician... gee, if only we were able to see it in 2016 🙄

[@user-yo8ww9rk2p]

Truth loves John Stossel🇺🇸❤️🦅

[@StepUPNJ]

Vivek Ramaswamy was the only potential candidate that had the right idea. He wanted to cut the federal workforce by 80%, completely eliminate the Department of Education and end affirmative action. He wanted to remove a large number of troops from the 800 plus military bases around the world and send them directly to the border to gain control of it immediately. His aim was to remove the 4th branch of government, the non-elected administrative state.

[@wyo_garage20]

@@happydogg312Huh? Trump was battling lie after lie after lie, bogus investigation after bogus investigation. It’s not his fault

[@selohcin]

@@wyo_garage20 This comment wasn't about Trump; it was about Ramaswamy.

[@wyo_garage20]

@@selohcin No shit. Think instead of commenting please

[@selohcin]

@@wyo_garage20 You deserved it after derailing the conversation.

[@willstikken5619]

you mean he wanted to do lots of things which the president is not empowered to do? but promised to do them anyway? Well that is shocking coming from someone desiring to be a politician...

[@fdorrjr]

C'mon Stossel...run for office and show us how it's done!

[@Porcupine19]

If he did he has my vote.

[@Eckster]

He's certainly old enough 😂

[@melvingibson4525]

​@@Ecksternah he pronounces words too well

[@sidwhiting665]

95% of people will not vote for anyone who will truly drain the swamp. They only want "the other side's'" part drained, not their part. I can prove this by the fact that over 95% of congressional incumbents are re-elected year after year, and they're the ones who created the swamp in the first place... for the benefit of their constituents. No one wants their benefits touched. Find me the person who says, "Cut my program by 70%" and you will know that's a real swamp drainer.

[@Foolish188]

Just think of how much money Corporations who want your votes will pay you!

[@sfbfriend]

John I have been watching you since your days on 20/20, your content is short, concise and to the point. Thank you for your years of common sense.

[@michaeltemple895]

Trump's spending isn't a drop in the bucket compared to FJB's B's.

[@zachhawkins5005]

He had no support

[@cp1cupcake]

Two months ago, I saw a great example of government inefficiency. The bill to extend payments damaged by US nuclear testing got extended another 4 years. The program pays out around $70M a year but costs $12B per year. From when it was introduced in 1990, it has paid out less than $3B. They would save money just greenlighting all of the applications. Something else to point out with the increase of government funding, a lot of it is tied to programs that the president might not have as much control over. ie, welfare and similar collectovist programs are designed to grow each year because of population increases.

[@stephenh.4476]

He tried. That's why the Washington agencies went after him.

[@f308gtb1977]

What a joke! Big tough no-nonsense Trump, so much stronger than anyone else, the only man to save us, couldn’t drain the swamp because, SURPRISE, they didn’t want him to. Who would have ever thought of that??? Poor Trump, what a martyr.

[@f308gtb1977]

Aw, poor Trump, the valiant warrior genius… his enemies didn’t roll over and play dead for him? So not fair! Boo hoo!😭

[@marcusagrippa8078]

Just because you say he tried doesn’t make it true. Stossel just laid out how he objectively added to the swamp. He took a little off the top and then added hair extensions.

[@stephenh.4476]

@@marcusagrippa8078 Yes, he could destroy the swamp yet he couldn't get $5 billion for a wall.

[@hrdman2luv]

Trump vetoed only 1 spending bill in 4 years. That's not what I call "trying" to drain the swamp. Trump lies, a LOT. He said he was going to zero out the national debt in 8 years. But before covid, he'd already sign 2 omnibus bills, 4 CR's and increased the debt ceiling twice.

[@Shewib]

This is why I voted for Ramaswamy. Too bad more people didn't. Now government is only going to get bigger.

[@barfo281]

Ramaswarmy is a leftist clown. Stop being so gullible. Guy was an Obama lover before he started swooning over Leftist Donnie Chump (an even bigger leftist than Obama).

[@trentp151]

He needs to listen to Vivek Ramaswamy and use the 1977 Reorganization Act to unilaterally and LAWFULLY shut down entire agencies. Restore the Federal Government back to the THREE BRANCHES intended by our Founding Fathers!

[@user-eq2wm9db5n]

Thank you John Stossel for being a neutral TRUTHFUL and FACTUAL JOURNALIST!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🇺🇸💪🇺🇸💪🇺🇸🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@thetruthhurts2352]

Still better than the alternative!

[@RocketMan-vc8sr]

That's not really saying much.

[@creetan9997]

Settling for the lesser of evils is only going to put us in a deeper mess in the end. Truly sad to see the U.S. fall from what the founding fathers wanted all because people can't get out of thinking you have to choose either Democrat or Republican, and also because people can't seem to get out of political labels. George Washington warned you guys but you got caught up anyways.

[@thetruthhurts2352]

​@RocketMan-vc8sr yeah but my life is more expensive under Biden.

[@RocketMan-vc8sr]

@@thetruthhurts2352 But I had to go through the Fauci pandemic under Trump.

[@bioforge55]

@@RocketMan-vc8sr you would have gone under that with any president, dude has been there since the aids pandemic!

[@TekiesoKensie]

He did more then everyone else ever has. He helped exposed everything

[@philcaprino]

He did . How you like his jab. You must of got one. He told you to

[@RichardRennes]

@@philcaprino HIS jab? Biden took credit for it, or haven`t you heard? You might want to look it up.

[@jmmywyf4lyf]

Exactly

[@jmmywyf4lyf]

​@@philcaprinoit's so funny watching you people pretend that he did want to do that! He didn't want to close the country, he didn't want to force anyone to get a job, and he was criticized for it back then. He delegated those responsibilities to the experts, as any good executive would.

[@philcaprino]

@@RichardRennes Trump says he is the father of the MAGA jab to this says how wonderful it is and to take. Get your head out of the sand. Now Biden u nloaded the gun the Trump loaded. Vote for the dude that is fine but do not make sh!t up.

[@vulpo]

Trump didn't drain the swamp. Now the swamp is draining him.

[@Jquintan3]

The UNIPARTY MUST GO!

[@Charleszzee]

John, I appreciate the fair assessment of both sides. In short, you're right, government is not the answer.

[@CaptainFAL]

That's nice. I'm still voting for him.

[@johnniefauvergue6723]

Not sure what's happening to the Postal Service in middle America but now a lot of times it takes 2 weeks and a couple days for mail to get to its final destination. Almost all my bills are now set up to be taken out automatically. Back in the day it took 3 to 4 days for mail to reach its destination.

[@George4943]

It is difficult to drain the swamp when you're up to your ass in alligators. The alligators who inhabit the swamp fight tooth and claw to maintain their home.

[@crw662]

But as the video said, he not only didn’t drain it, he grew it.

[@gholamhassani758]

This commenter is stuck in what has been dubbed an ‘echo chamber’

[@Gryphind0r]

Trump doubled spending

[@crw662]

@@Gryphind0r Although true, you must look at the context. Covid is why it nearly doubled. But He was increasing spending even before that.

[@MrThrock09]

Ass? Lol how about eyeballs.

[@SteveB-nx2uo]

one man isnt responsible to turn around our completely corrupt self serving government. we all are

[@dharmadharma3960]

You got it!

[@richardshipe4576]

Yeah, but the fucker signs off on what gets spent

[@philcaprino]

Exactly. We are the ones we have been waiting for.

[@f308gtb1977]

The guy that promised over and over and over to do exactly that? And swore he was the only one who could? What a joke.

[@SteveB-nx2uo]

@@f308gtb1977 He also promised to build a border wall. And he tried. he built a lot of it, secured funding, and signed contracts. on day 1 - biden canceled them all. stopped construction. one man cannot be expected to turn the tide. and if he does- what benefit are you entitled to?

[@nilesanders5110]

Reform the government.

[@AnnSisuLiv]

Downsize is the only way.

[@dwight_klaus2981]

When you vote, make government reform your top priority, not the dog-whistle distractions that the MSM feeds you. Listen to the candidates and only vote for the ones that have a plan to fix the system. We have a system that depends on educated voters. But government is always about compromises, so voters must prioritize reform wisely.

[@samedmundson6470]

Every 100 days we add $1,000,000,000,000 to our national debt. To put that into perspective 1,000,000,000,000 seconds from now will be July the 1st, 33721 AD.

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

Four years isn't enough time to say "You're Fired...." to get rid of even a fraction of the people that need to go "bye-bye" - even if Trump was the "hatchet man in chief" he couldn't say those two words fast enough....

[@readrothbard153]

We were sold on Trump's competance, but ypu're saying he was so incompetant that he couldn't be expected to make a dent in 4 years?

[@saints146]

Then he won't be successful with another 4 years he will just grow it some more

[@willstikken5619]

He did such a stellar job that instead of firing anyone he hired thousands more and managed to run larger deficits than Obama to pay for them. Great job. Let's job he doesn't get to do that again. The few people he did fire were public officials who dared oppose him. I'm sure he wont let that happen a second time given the chance.

[@chestnutlouie4709]

Republicans in the House and Senate are to cowardly to join that fight and it would reduce their hedge fund bets

[@adlucem9845]

in the 1960's the CIA/Israel killed what was the republican party and manufactured a new party called neoconservatism. Neocons are basically open mouth pieces of Israel/CIA. There is no war they do not support. Prior to that the GOP was called "paleoconservative" they were antiwar isolationists and constitutionalists. The shunned fighting israel/CIA wars and the deep state couldnt have that.

[@Viconius]

@chestnutlouie4709 "Republicans in the House and Senate are to cowardly to join that fight and it would reduce their hedge fund bets" Yeah, Democrats are such a strong small government party. 🤡

[@neilreynolds3858]

It's not cowardice. They like the way things are.

[@b25822]

You seem to be highly intelligent. Why are most billionaire hedge fund managers democrats ?

[@jackiejeppson3075]

Too not to.

[@mikeprevitera5839]

And this is why “Atlas Shrugged”

[@jvonengeln]

Setting term limits on congressmen and senators would sure help to drain the swamp. These life long politicians in Washington are no good for our country.

[@Garrick1983]

Republicans have tried many times.

[@89TNash]

The only issue with privatizing it also is what creates swamps and inflates cost. Companies charge a lot for government work and our goverment officials dont push back on the cost they charge.

[@rickintexas1584]

We need a Javier Millei. Ross Perot was the last presidential candidate to talk honestly about the debt. But I’m still voting for Trump.

[@MasterRoshi69]

You must not have heard Vivek speak then.. His plan was to shut down entire agencies, cut 50% of the remaining other agencies, and other huge cuts to so much of the federal government. Basically what Argentina's president Javier did.

[@thomaswayneward]

Sheesh, if you knew Ross Perot you would get the chills thinking about him being in charge of the US government.

[@hrdman2luv]

Why? Because he's the lesser of two evils? How's that lesser of two evils thing working out?

[@MasterRoshi69]

I loved Trump 2015-2019. However, he lost his edge, and he's just done way too many things wrong for me to have full faith in him now.. He backed the wrong people, didn't finish the wall, made the national debt bigger, played into the COVID hysteria, pushed project warp speed which massively helped big pharma... The list goes on.. Vivek Ramaswamy was the better pick, but in all his videos and Livestreams, you would see so many Trump Lovers openly bigoted against him for being Hindu and brown.. Right wing and left wing are both attached to the same ignorant bird.

[@jeffpadilla9891]

You will never have a government not in charge of so many things because people who want to screw over others turn to the government to do their bidding.

[@marcodarko6941]

Excellent observation. Yes.

[@MrOfcourseitsme]

I dare anyone to name ONE thing the gov't does right. If someone even came up with one, there are ten examples of gov't doing something wrong by waste, corruption, inefficiency, cost over-runs, etc

[@bhorning2]

He appointed Pompeo and Bolton -- that's all you need to know

[@PatheticPeasant]

He must have been doing things towards draining the swamp. I mean, look at what they've done to him and are still doing to him. He has very little help to fix this country.

[@shioq.]

Exactly, so when he gets into office again he'll just do whatever they tell him to.

[@jurassicturtle3666]

​@@shioq.I'm not sure what part of school you missed out on to draw that conclusion but maybe some 5 paragraph book reports and basic attempts at inference would be a good start

[@josedorsaith5261]

​@@jurassicturtle3666 He's paid to post on here

[@PatheticPeasant]

@shioq. I see what you're saying but I think he's super proud and stubborn. I think we'll just have 4 more years of him trying to defend himself against those crooks. To me it's a waist. To bad there isn't any good people on either side that is moral enough to save America.

[@shioq.]

@@jurassicturtle3666 you didn't refute my claim, you simply made an ad hominem attack. i can see why you'll vote for a man who did nothing he promised he would.

[@MrGiggitygoo31]

When people complain about Trump, it's never about this. Every time I think I find someone to discuss this frustration with, I end up defending him by just correcting inaccuracies.

[@judywright4241]

I’ll still vote for him but he is not a Conservative, he still threatened to use the military to force those of us who never trusted the COVID vaccine, to take it at gun point.

[@mediocreman2]

Just proves they weren't paying attention to actual results. They were only paying attention to how they feel, and that's what they and the media are still paying attention to. So sad that thinking is not really on the menu anymore. Do as you are told and comply is the message the current media and administration are sending.

[@mxjame546]

John try to fine what wrong about Trump than came up with the most unrelated story

[@SurvGod]

You are right, sir

[@readrothbard153]

Trump's term was a progressives wet dream

[@mikeh.853]

Reducing government is not the definition of "drain the swamp". It means to combat government CORRUPTION. Reducing the size of gov may or may not be a byproduct of draining the swamp.

[@2Petya]

Was looking for this. I agree

[@BradleyT2p2]

2:55 clearly nothing Sleepy Joe could do about Mohair incentives the past 4 years.

[@KM-zu9we]

The ability to take away something once it’s given them is virtually impossible.

[@Christian___]

In the UK Thatcher sacked almost 100,000 civil servants in her first term. Her privatisation of public utilities also cut down the number of public sector employees, amounting to a reduction of 800,000 employees. New national audit bodies were created to ensure efficiency and value for money and in 1988 performance-related pay was introduced in these agencies.

[@thomaswayneward]

No wonder they hated her so much.

[@thrushvalley]

And nurses had to live on peanut butter sanwiches for at least one week per month under the realm of The Iron Lady.

[@gothicpando]

Unfortunately, there is no one better...

[@aevangel1]

6:00 I don't live in NY and that's disgusting. $0.10 adjusted for inflation would only be $1.26 in 2023.