The song's music video, directed by Andrew Ondrejcak, features Wainwright as Dionysius II of Syracuse and Darren Criss as Damocles.

[1] Wainwright developed the song after hearing his friend Carrie Fisher use the anecdote "the Sword of Damocles" in conversation to describe her "troubled state of mind".

[1] He described the song as his "artistic response to what [he sees] currently transpiring within the American government and how its collapse is affecting every aspect of existence for us all".

[4] Furthermore, Wainwright said in a statement: With the Midterm Elections around the corner, it’s important for everyone to take a stand and contribute in some way – whether it’s bringing awareness to issues in your community, protesting/demonstrating, watching the news to formulate your own opinions, creating, yelling – it’s all hands on deck...

[5] The music magazine's Nicole Engelman called "Sword of Damocles" as a "swelling" piano ballad "[dripping] in political satire.

"[6] Rolling Stone's Ryan Reed described the song as a ballad in which Wainwright "croons over stately piano chords".

[5] The studio version of "Sword of Damocles" was first made available on Bandcamp, with some proceeds benefitting voter registration efforts via the progressive political group Swing Left.

The song's music video, released on October 30, was directed by Andrew Ondrejcak and features Wainwright as Dionysius II of Syracuse and Darren Criss portraying Damocles.

[1] Trump is not referenced directly, but the introduction displays the text: "Dear Mr. President, This ancient story, from the 4th century, reminds me of you.