# 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:** 12
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/221 "2024-12-01T20:46:29Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > […] If Trump (or anyone) names an ambassador who is so egregiously awful that the intended country of assignment takes offense, that country can refuse to issue credentials[…] Someone call Mel Brooks. I have an idea for a movie. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/222 "2024-12-01T20:56:24Z")
Are you thinking of an actor with the initials MM? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/223 "2024-12-01T21:21:58Z")
Well, I would have used Cleavon Little, except he’s dead. So, sure…let’s send…Mandy Moore? Meagan Markle? Melissa McCarthy? Mads Mikkelsen? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/224 "2024-12-01T21:29:13Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > So these two ambassadors represent Trump being true to form: an ex-convict and a far-right extremist, both of whom will be anathema to the values of the countries to which they are sent. > > For anyone in the thread who wasn’t already aware, a country is not obligated to accept the ambassador sent by another country. If Trump (or anyone) names an ambassador who is so egregiously awful that the intended country of assignment takes offense, that country can refuse to issue credentials. It doesn’t happen very often, and (per **wolfpup’s** earlier comment) it probably won’t happen here, but it **can** happen. The problem is that this will then antagonize a temperamental, vengeful, and mentally unstable tyrant. France may be able to do it, but Canada is so geographically and economically closely connected to the US that pissing off the Orange Tyrant is not in the cards. It will be a very tough four years for Trudeau or whoever replaces him, a balancing act akin to trying to placate a particularly obtuse and temperamental 8-year-old wielding a machine gun. We have bigger things to worry about than the ambassador being a Tea Party lunatic, like the state of the national economy. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/225 "2024-12-01T21:43:42Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > both of whom will be anathema to the values of the countries to which they are sent But maybe less so to the values the country which sent them, which is the raison d’etre for an ambassador. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/226 "2024-12-01T21:49:08Z")
Marcel Marceau. He was in Silent Movie, the only actor to speak. It was the word “No” ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/227 "2024-12-01T22:14:55Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > both of whom will be anathema to the values of the countries to which they are sent > > But maybe less so to the values the country which sent them, which is the raison d’etre for an ambassador. Yes, that’s **part** of their job, but that’s not the whole story. A major part of their job is to enable the best possible relations between the US and the country they’re posted to. During the Cold War, for instance, the ambassador to the Soviet Union through three presidential administrations – those of Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson – was the storied Llewellyn Thompson. He was a highly experienced and admired diplomat, described as “arguably the most influential figure who ever advised U.S. presidents about policy toward the Soviet Union during the Cold War.” That’s what’s needed in an ambassador, not prison experience as an ex-convict, not a background as a Tea Party lunatic. An ambassador can represent his country’s interests without being offensively toxic to the sensibilities of the host country. Though not in Trumpworld, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/228 "2024-12-01T22:52:53Z")
It’s been years since I’ve seen that movie. I was riffing on the premise of _Blazing Saddles,_ which is about the government wanting to appoint a sheriff so despised that the residents of the town would reject him. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/229 "2024-12-01T22:59:55Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > An ambassador can represent his country’s interests without being offensively toxic to the sensibilities of the host country. Though not in Trumpworld, apparently. Trump’s idea of how relationships (international and otherwise) are supposed to work is completely one-sided. France and everyone else isn’t supposed to _like_ the US Trump; they are supposed to fear, obey, worship and send tribute in return for nothing but contempt. ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/230 "2024-12-02T12:34:04Z")
I did not find an ideal thread, but we should get one going on the control of Trump in 2025. The whole idea from Democrats and experts (think MSNBC) is that we have to allow Trump since some 50% wanted him. It’s democracy! Even if they are low information voters and people who hate all government. The goal is to prevent him as much as possible. Prove that democracy works even here, and that by 2026 we will have this under control. Isn’t this a bit of an expensive experiment? The failures in our constitution are obvious. If the president has the house and senate and the supreme court, there are only the states and lower federal courts to hold him back. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/231 "2024-12-02T16:46:31Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > but Canada is so geographically and economically closely connected to the US that pissing off the Orange Tyrant is not in the cards. It will be a very tough four years for Trudeau or whoever replaces him, a balancing act akin to trying to placate a particularly obtuse and temperamental 8-year-old wielding a machine gun. We’ll have to settle for the CBC licensing the rights to _[The Diplomat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diplomat_(American_TV_series))_, but making it a half-hour, mean-spirited sit-com showing the ambassador bumbling their way through the Ottawa diplomatic scene. Episode One: “Who knew Quebec was so close to Ottawa when I called them “Poutine-eating surrender lumberjacks”?” ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/232 "2024-12-05T01:38:17Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The new president of Mexico says he’s full of shit. There’s evidence in today’s news that she knows Mexico cannot afford that: [Mexican soldiers and marines have seized over a ton of fentanyl pills in two raids in the north, with officials calling it the biggest catch of the synthetic opioid in the country’s history.](https://apnews.com/article/mexico-fentanyl-drug-seizure-76b274660df084dd36e57dc6c000d922) > [@](#): > > Saucedo said it’s clear the Mexican government “doesn’t see fentanyl as one of its own problems, and fighting it isn’t its priority,” He added there would only be big busts “when there is pressure from Washington.” . . . > > The latest haul was striking because fentanyl seizures in Mexico had fallen dramatically in the first half of the year. At some points during the summer, under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, federal forces reported seizures amounted to as little as 50 grams (2 ounces) per week. I’m no expert, but I believe the reason the Mexican authorities do not do such raids routinely is because they increase the level of violence. Ideally, the U.S. should be responsible for reducing demand. I know that is hard. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/233 "2024-12-05T02:00:46Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I’m no expert, but I believe the reason the Mexican authorities do not do such raids routinely is because they increase the level of violence. I suspect a major reason Mexican authorities don’t so such raids routinely is because they find it personally very lucrative not to. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Ideally, the U.S. should be responsible for reducing demand. I know that is hard. It’s the **only** solution. As long as the demand is there, dangerous drugs like fentanyl will always be available. But if you’re Trump, it’s much easier to blame everyone else. Mexico is the main source of fentanyl, but Canada is being blamed for the availability of some of the precursor components. This has historically been almost impossible to control, since these components have many different legal uses. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/234 "2024-12-05T04:40:14Z")
Hmmm…the fear of Trump and tariffs seem to be working. > **[Mexican authorities broke up 2 migrant caravans heading to US, activists say](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/activists-mexican-authorities-broken-2-migrant-caravans-heading-116340685)** > > Activists say Mexican immigration authorities have broken up two small migrant caravans headed to the U.S. border ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/235 "2024-12-05T04:56:39Z")
Re last post, the last two paragraphs of the link explain that they always break up caravans. Sheinbaum says she explained that to Trump. Some articles I read about Mexico treat it like a failed corrupt narco state. Other treat it as normie with, like every country, problems. The latter sounds more plausible. [A majority of real cops are honest.](https://www.fodors.com/world/mexico-and-central-america/mexico/experiences/news/what-to-do-if-youre-pulled-over-by-police-while-driving-in-mexico). If Sheinbaum says something, it is probably true. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/236 "2024-12-05T05:01:18Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Some articles I read about Mexico treat it like a failed corrupt narco state. Other treat it as normie with, like every country, problems. The latter sounds more plausible. [A majority of real cops are honest.](https://www.fodors.com/world/mexico-and-central-america/mexico/experiences/news/what-to-do-if-youre-pulled-over-by-police-while-driving-in-mexico) Sure … 😀 > **[Mexico drug lord Joaquin Guzman used tunnel for prison break](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-33498573)** > > Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzman escaped from a maximum security prison through long tunnel, officials say. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/237 "2024-12-05T05:12:54Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Sure … 😀 While it is tempting to put in a link to a comparable U.S. prison break, my true on-topic point is that the Mexican police have been breaking up every one of these FoxNews-publicized caravans for many years. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/238 "2024-12-05T05:23:10Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > my true on-topic point is that the Mexican police have been breaking up every one of these FoxNews-publicized caravans for many years. How do you know the Mexican police have broken up “every one” of the immigrant caravans? How many do you **not** know about? And the major point here isn’t about helpless immigrants, it’s about the power of the Mexican drug cartels: > **[Mexico’s organized corruption scourge](https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/mexico-organized-corruption/)** > > The 2021 Global Organized Crime Index findings show that large-scale systemic corruption in Mexico has enabled criminal networks to thrive, and more must be done to address this. All of which is getting into a hijack of a thread about Trump policies, so we should probably end the hijack here, acknowledging that the Mexican government is going to have a tough time dealing with powerful, well-financed, and well-armed drug cartels. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/240 "2024-12-11T15:19:37Z")
Trump has now taken to insulting the Prime Minister of Canada on Truth Social while sitting on the toilet at midnight. It’s going to be a long, long four years … > **[Trump taunts Trudeau by calling him 'governor' of 'a great state' | CBC News](https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-trudeau-governor-great-state-canada-1.7406226)** > > President-elect Donald Trump took a jab at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, calling him a "governor" and referring to Canada as a "great state" — another suggestion by the incoming president that this country should be part of the... ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/241 "2024-12-11T15:40:38Z")
Former Fox News personality, Gavin Newsom spouse, and Don, Jr. fiancé, Kimberly Guilfoyle, has been appointed Ambassador to Greece: > **[Trump taps former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle as US ambassador to Greece](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/10/trump-kimberly-guilfoyle-greece-ambassador)** > > Guilfoyle, whose nomination would require Senate confirmation, has not served in any foreign policy or diplomacy role She meets at least one critical Trump criteria: > **[Fox Reportedly Paid Kimberly Guilfoyle's Assistant $4 Million To Settle Suit](https://www.npr.org/2020/10/02/919658814/fox-reportedly-paid-kimberly-guilfoyles-assistant-4-million-to-settle-suit)** > > Reports of former Fox star and Trump insider Kimberly Guilfoyle's multimillion-dollar sexual harassment settlement suggests misconduct at Fox knows no gender. Also sounds like the Trump family found a good way for Don, Jr. to date up – at least, financially: > **[Donald Trump Jr. spotted with glam socialite Bettina Anderson as sources say...](https://nypost.com/2024/12/10/us-news/donald-trump-jr-is-now-dating-with-glam-socialite-bettina-anderson/)** > > Donald Trump Jr. is dating glamorous Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson after splitting with fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle, multiple sources told Page Six. Sorry, Greece. I doubt this is going to help the recent trend toward [**anti-tourism**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/how-the-welcoming-greeks-finally-grew-tired-of-tourists/). Sending you the consummate Ugly American … can’t help. Nothing to see here. Move along, Folks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=13)