# The current second Trump administration: a compendium of horrors **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 6, 2024, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774 "2024-11-06T09:17:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 119
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2366 "2025-10-14T18:29:39Z")
This is such a horror that I almost want to think Trump misunderstood the question, thinking Hamas is shooting looters rather than rivals: [Reuters:](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-suggests-hamas-has-approval-internal-security-operations-gaza-2025-10-13/) > [@](#): > > Asked by a journalist aboard Air Force One about reports that Hamas was instituting itself as a police force and shooting rivals, Trump said “they do want to stop the problems, and they’ve been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time”. > > “You have close to 2 million people going back to buildings that have been demolished, and a lot of bad things can happen. So we want it to be - we want it to be safe. I think it’s going to be fine. Who knows for sure,” Trump said. This was in the news shortly before Trump made the statement above: [AFP: Several Killed As Clashes Erupt Between Hamas And Gaza Clan After Ceasefire](https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/several-killed-as-clashes-erupt-between-hamas-and-gaza-clan-after-ceasefire-report-9449288) > [@](#): > > On Sunday evening, gunfights took place in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, according to witnesses who spoke with AFP on condition of anonymity, citing fears for their safety. > > “About 200 members of the (Hamas) security forces were present and fought until they completely subdued” the clan members, a local resident said. > > “There were dead and wounded among the (Doghmush) family members, but also martyrs and injured among the security forces,” he added. QUALIFICATION: Since Trump made his statement seeming to OK Hamas killing Gazans during the cease fire, there have been reports of Israelis shooting Gazans and Hamas carrying out public executions. But Trump could not have yet known about that when he gave his OK. So those are not part of this post; I mention them NOT to suggest discussion here, but just to made a limit to what this particular Trump horror could be about. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2367 "2025-10-14T18:34:17Z")
Maybe Trump will send the National Guard over there. Who knows? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2368 "2025-10-15T00:36:48Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > It’s not playing at my nearest airport, Norfolk International, either. Boston’s Logan Airport isn’t playing it either. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2369 "2025-10-15T00:50:29Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > reports of Israelis shooting Gazans I saw a news report on TV earlier today, I believe on CNN, that the Israelis have established what they call a yellow no-go zone in northern Gaza, but haven’t marked it clearly, and that two Palestinians attempting to go see what if anything was left of their home inadvertently wandered into the yellow zone and were shot dead. Let me look in Google. Ah. I’m seeing reports now [like this one](https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-gaza-ceasefire-deal-hostages-10-14-25#cmgqblrj600003b6ov8duhzjh) that “multiple people” had crossed the “yellow line” and been fired upon by the Israelis, with some reports stating some were killed. ETA: I apologize for not citing more extensively on this, but the news media are so saturated with Gaza stories right now it’s hard to sift out the precise points I was looking for. I wonder who 45/47 will blame when/if the ceasefire collapses? > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Maybe Trump will send the National Guard over there. Who knows? Since 200 US troops have already been sent to “monitor” how the ceasefire goes – not to be deployed inside Gaza itself, certainly not! Not like advisors in Vietnam, nossirree! – no need for the Guard. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2370 "2025-10-15T01:35:29Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > I wonder who 45/47 will blame when/if the ceasefire collapses? Hillary, Obama, and Sleepy Joe, who else? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2371 "2025-10-15T01:45:41Z")
Nancy Pelosi, surely… > **[Nancy Pelosi Has Gained Enough Power to Be Flattened Into a Meme](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/nancy-pelosi-memes-state-of-the-union.html)** > > A win for women everywhere? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2372 "2025-10-15T02:29:27Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > I wonder who 45/47 will blame when/if the ceasefire collapses? He would deny it, just as he denies the current reality. Here’s what he said today about Hamas battles with a weaker Palestinian group, including [public executions](https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/14/middleeast/gaza-public-execution-gaza-city-hamas-intl) of captives: [they did take out a couple of gangs that were very bad, very, very bad gangs, and they did take them out and they killed a number of gang members and that didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you. That’s OK.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWbcsRosQrg) When Trump says “very bad, very, very bad gangs,” he has very, very little idea who they are. And I take Trump’s “to be honest” as a tell that he knows he’s being dishonest. I earlier mentioned a somewhat similar Trump endorsement of intra-Palestinian violence he voiced yesterday, but now that Trump is endorsing an out and out public execution regime (run by those he said were terrorists only a day or two ago), I’m counting it as a new entry for the compendium of horrors. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2373 "2025-10-15T02:35:53Z")
Well, look at it from his viewpoint: The more the Palestinians kill off their own, the fewer people that will have to be moved out so the grand Trump resorts can be built once the rubble’s cleared away. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2374 "2025-10-15T04:25:23Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Boston’s Logan Airport isn’t playing it either. Another airport joins the party: > **[Philly International Airport refusing to play Kristi Noem video blaming...](https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-international-airport-kristi-noem-video-20251014.html?id=VigMhVv2ABUWI&utm_source=social&utm_campaign=gift_link&utm_medium=referral)** > > The city's Department of Aviation, which owns and operates Philadelphia International Airport, "does not accept or display materials that are political in nature in its facilities," the agency said. What’s she going to do about it? Threaten to start shooting service dogs until the airports comply? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2375 "2025-10-15T07:03:45Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > What’s she going to do about it? Threaten to start shooting service dogs until the airports comply? Hey! Don’t give her any ideas. You already know how those idjits feel about inclusiveness and disabilities. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2376 "2025-10-15T14:43:44Z")
> **[Winning with misinformation: New research identifies link between endorsing...](https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/10/believing-misinformation-is-a-win-for-some-people-even-when-proven-false/)** > > Conversations around misinformation that assume everyone cares about literal truth may be missing the point. So… a large fraction of the population is being encouraged and incentivized to indulge their inherent oppositional defiant disorder? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2377 "2025-10-15T16:35:47Z")
Pretty much. And it works. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2378 "2025-10-15T17:34:57Z")
Gerald R. Ford International is not showing it either. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2379 "2025-10-16T01:32:16Z")
[New York Times: Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/us/politics/trump-covert-cia-action-venezuela.html?unlocked_article_code=1.t08.rI6u.5N4kTZZ3B1aF&smid=url-share) > [@](#): > > The Trump administration has secretly authorized the C.I.A. to conduct covert action in Venezuela, according to U.S. officials . . . > > The authorization is the latest step in the Trump administration’s intensifying pressure campaign against Venezuela. For weeks, the U.S. military has been [targeting boats off the Venezuelan coast](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/us/politics/trump-drugs-boat-attack.html) it says are transporting drugs, killing 27 people. American officials have been clear, privately, that the end goal is to [drive Mr. Maduro from power](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/us/politics/maduro-venezuela-trump-rubio.html). > > Mr. Trump acknowledged on Wednesday that he had authorized the covert action and said the United States was considering strikes on Venezuelan territory. > > “We are certainly looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control,” When I read the lead, I thought Trump would go after the reporters on grounds they were publishing secrets. But then Trump turned out to be a named source! Covert actions are, well, secret. It seems to me that Trump personally leaked a significant secret to the Times. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2380 "2025-10-16T01:47:26Z")
I had the same thought when I saw that headline, “Welp, **that** cat’s outta the bag.” He’s such a show-off, has to toot his own horn. Pardon he if I leave the room when he does. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2381 "2025-10-16T01:59:21Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > He’s such a show-off, has to toot his own horn. He’s much too fat and inflexible to ‘toot his own horn’. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2382 "2025-10-16T02:05:03Z")
So… Trump has just admitted that he’s breaking international law, and about to go to war with Venezuela. OK then. At least in the past, when the CIA worked on eliminating another country’s leader, they did so in secret, and had plausible deniability. Now the orange muppet just advertises what they’re doing. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2383 "2025-10-16T02:29:20Z")
This from yesterday is now more relevant: [Will Venezuela’s Nobel Peace Prize Winner Stick With Trump?](https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/15/venezuela-machado-nobel-peace-prize-trump/) > [@](#): > > can a Nobel Peace Prize laureate continue to endorse a policy that many argue is in [violation](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/podcasts/the-daily/us-venezuela-boat-strikes.html) of international law? And what about if the United States escalated its campaign and Venezuela’s national sovereignty were violated, albeit in the name of democracy? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2384 "2025-10-16T12:44:20Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I earlier mentioned a somewhat similar Trump endorsement of intra-Palestinian violence he voiced yesterday, but now that Trump is endorsing an out and out public execution regime (run by those he said were terrorists only a day or two ago), I’m counting it as a new entry for the compendium of horrors. Hamas is now a central party to the success of this peace plan, that Trump has hung so much of his ego on. He needs them in order to succeed, so of course they’re now Good Guys, and can do no wrong. How long this will last is very unclear, probably until Hamas starts killing non-Palestinians again. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2385 "2025-10-16T13:24:14Z")
I heard an interesting analysis on NPR somewhere, sorry no cite, that talked about Trump’s so-called “transactional” approach. That’s just another way of saying that he has no principles. Namely, that he will do whatever it takes to get the deal made. If that means shooting terrorists one day and making them heroes the next, then that’s what he’ll do. Which is why he has been able to do this thing, or at least facilitate this thing that past presidents have not: because he doesn’t have any moral principles at all. All he wants is the result, and the attendant glory for himself that comes with it. If he has to throw everybody under the bus tomorrow for his own glorification, then so be it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=118) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=120)