To be honest the DC intern economy runs on rich parents willing to subsidize their kids rubbing shoulders with power.

This is a completely separate problem. Not as bad as in the U.K. but you still have the situation where wages low down in many industries are so poor you can’t afford to take the job unless your parents subsidise you (either they live close enough to give you free housing or they pay your rent for the first 5 years)

Once you “make it” then you have your six figure salary and are good to go.

This is by design to ensure the right people get the jobs.

I don’t have a generalized answer, but they have been making it, I guess is the answer? It’s been over 6 years since I interviewed, but talking with friends they haven’t missed a payroll. Sometimes smoke indicates a fire, sometimes it indicates bbq I guess.