They Said They Would Drain The Swamp. They’re Laughing, Playing In The Muck |
They Said They Would Drain The Swamp. They’re Laughing, Playing In The Muck
(Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Former Special Assistant to President Donald Trump and White House Policy Communications Director Jacki McGavick announced Thursday that she was leaving government for the gambling platform Kalshi.
This is yet another classic example of the swampy practice: working in government on a taxpayer-funded salary for a year or two, and then entering the private sector as a lobbyist or shill whose connections to federal officials and elected representatives are extremely valuable to the new employer, especially if the employer is facing regulatory headwinds. McGavick’s role at Kalshi isn’t entirely clear, other than the fact that she is “excited to help tell” Kalshi’s “story,” which is to give “ordinary people a way to cut through the noise and fake news — and get rewarded for being right.”
NEWS: Thrilled to announce I’ve joined @Kalshi. After serving @POTUS in the @WhiteHouse, I’m proud to be joining a company building something uniquely American: a federally regulated prediction market that is innovating right here in the United States. Kalshi gives ordinary… — Jacki McGavick (@jackikotkiewicz) June 4, 2026
NEWS: Thrilled to announce I’ve joined @Kalshi.
After serving @POTUS in the @WhiteHouse, I’m proud to be joining a company building something uniquely American: a federally regulated prediction market that is innovating right here in the United States.
Kalshi gives ordinary…
— Jacki McGavick (@jackikotkiewicz) June 4, 2026
Ultimately, this is very small peanuts in the second Trump administration compared to what else has come to light and unfolded over the last year and a half. Not only has Trump 2.0 completely abandoned any inkling of a “Drain the Swamp,” anti-corruption agenda, cabinet members, officials and members of the Trump family have almost gone out of their way to engage in swampy, at times breathtaking, behavior that has drawn fierce criticism from Democrats and legacy media outlets — but unfortunately, little to no criticism from those on the right. (RELATED: DC’s Worst Swamp Creatures See Big Paydays Under Trump 2.0)
No administration is ever scot-free of ethically questionable........