The Swamp (documentary)

The Swamp is an American documentary film about the fundraising and political culture on Capitol Hill and in Washington, DC. Released in August 2020 on HBO, it chronicles the activities of three Republican congressmen: Matt Gaetz, Thomas Massie and Ken Buck who are outsiders to dominant party patronage system.[1] The story takes place around late 2018 and 2019 in the lead up to the first impeachment of President Trump.

The film details how heavily the Republican and Democratic parties rely on lobbyists for financial support. It describes a system where those members of Congress who are most effective at fundraising for their party are rewarded with committee assignments.[2] The film uses interview clips and narration from Lawrence Lessig to provide background information. Lessig explains climate change and the Constitution of the United States in its early American historical context. There are a number of passages that highlight the divisions in the media landscape and culture of the United States, including within political advertising. These include the conflict-driven nature of social media messaging and strategies employed by politicians and corporate interest groups.

Others featured in the film include Ro Khanna (a Progressive Caucus member), John Sarbanes, and former member Katie Hill.