If We Are Being Honest, If Trump Didn’t Win, We Never Would’ve Known Just How Corrupt Our Government Really Is

The 2016 election marked a pivotal moment in American history. Whether you supported him or not, Donald Trump’s rise to power fundamentally altered the way many people view the U.S. government. His victory revealed cracks in the system, exposed underlying corruption, and pushed the American public to confront uncomfortable truths about the political landscape.

While Trump’s policies and actions sparked heated debates and intense political polarization, one undeniable outcome of his presidency is that it forced people to examine the machinery of government more closely. Before his time in office, the workings of Washington, D.C., were often shrouded in a level of secrecy, behind closed doors, with only occasional glimpses of the inner workings of the government. It was easy to assume that things ran smoothly and that politicians, regardless of their party affiliation, were more or less acting in the best interests of the country. But Trump’s victory, and the scandals that followed, have revealed that the political elite was much more entrenched in corruption than many had thought.

Trump himself often claimed to be an outsider—someone who would “drain the swamp” in Washington. While his critics often mocked the phrase, it became increasingly apparent that the establishment of both political parties had become far too comfortable with the status quo, benefiting from the system in ways that left ordinary Americans feeling sidelined. His blunt, often controversial approach to politics exposed these relationships and how deeply entrenched special interests had become in the decision-making processes of Washington.

The government’s response to Trump’s presidency was itself a telltale sign of the underlying corruption. From bureaucratic resistance to political maneuvering behind closed doors, the battle to rein him in highlighted just how much power unelected officials had over the political system. These conflicts didn’t just center around policy disagreements; they exposed an intricate web of self-interest and power dynamics that had been allowed to flourish under the radar. It became clearer than ever that the influence of lobbyists, large corporations, and foreign entities on American politics had created a deeply flawed system.

Trump’s unfiltered, direct style, often through social media, brought these issues into the public eye. Every scandal, every leak, every back-and-forth became part of the national conversation, and in doing so, it forced Americans to reckon with the fact that corruption wasn’t just limited to a few bad apples but was, in fact, systemic. No longer was it easy to turn a blind eye to how policies were shaped by money, power, and personal connections. The machinery that ran the government, from the Pentagon to Wall Street, had become a well-oiled machine of influence that ignored the voices of the average American.

In the aftermath of his presidency, it became increasingly clear that Trump’s victory had served as a wake-up call, pushing people to reconsider who controlled the levers of power. His term wasn’t just about the person in charge—it was about the power structures that had been built up over decades and how they operated. From the military-industrial complex to the influence of big money in elections, the Trump presidency brought these forces into full view.

Of course, the question remains: What now? Even after Trump left office, the lessons learned from his time in power have forced Americans to think more critically about the integrity of their institutions and how they function. While Trump’s rhetoric and actions may have been polarizing, they also served to shine a light on systemic corruption that many had ignored for far too long. In a sense, his presidency revealed the truth about how our government truly operated, for better or worse.

It’s a harsh reality to face, but there’s no denying that without Trump’s win in 2016, many of us would still be blind to the depth of corruption and dysfunction that existed within the political system. In a strange twist, the man many considered the most unlikely of presidents ended up being the one who exposed the raw and painful truths of the American political machine.

As we move forward, it’s up to the people to ensure that these revelations lead to real change, not just another cycle of disillusionment and apathy. The question now isn’t whether or not we were aware of the corruption, but whether we’re willing to confront it head-on and demand accountability from those in power.

Trump may not have been the president many people wanted, but his presidency undeniably gave America a closer look at how deeply the system had become corrupted. Whether that will lead to meaningful change or just another cycle of scandal is yet to be seen—but one thing is for certain: we’ll never go back to the way things were before we saw it all.