# 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:** 125
**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:** [October 23, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2486 "2025-10-23T15:29:15Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > > > People seems to think they are demolishing the entire East Wing, while WaPo says it is just the facade. > > People was right: > > [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/us/politics/east-wing-white-house-demolition-trump.html?smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/us/politics/east-wing-white-house-demolition-trump.html?smid=url-share) > > > The White House is demolishing the entirety of the East Wing to make way for President Trump’s $200 million ballroom, a construction project that is far more extensive than he initially let on, a senior administration official said on Wednesday. > > > > The tear-down should be finished by this weekend, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans. Trump is doing to the White House what the fourth plane on 9/11 was possibly intended to do. The brave passengers on United Flight 93 prevented the attack. And then the Orange Peril was elected. Besides destroying the East Wing, he’s also turned the Oval Office into a garish display of gilded tastelessness. ---
**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 23, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2487 "2025-10-23T16:01:37Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Trump is doing to the White House what the fourth plane on 9/11 was possibly intended to do. Whoa. This is an idea that definitely needs more airplay! I can see the headline: **“Trump Completes the Mission of Fourth 9/11 Terrorist Plane!”** ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2488 "2025-10-23T19:06:08Z")
I like your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter. ---
**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 23, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2489 "2025-10-23T21:10:37Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > I like your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter. 😉 * * * * * * * * * A question worth considering: _what greater atrocity is the East Wing demolition supposed to distract us from, hmmm?_ > **[Trump Opens Pristine Alaska Wilderness to Drilling in Long-Running Feud](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/climate/trump-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-oil-drilling.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vk8.bTTc.9yTbpS1dSixZ&smid=url-share)** > > The Interior Department also said it would allow a contentious road to be built through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Alaska. > The Trump administration on Thursday announced a plan to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s [Arctic National Wildlife Refuge](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/travel/alaska-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge.html), one of the largest remaining tracts of pristine wilderness in the United States. > > … > > During his first term, President Trump signed a 2017 tax bill that required two oil and gas lease sales in the coastal plain, but the Biden administration later suspended and then canceled those leases. > … An interesting wrinkle: > Yet major oil companies have previously [shown little interest in drilling in the refuge](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/climate/arctic-wildlife-refuge-drilling-leases.html) largely because of the great expense and some concerns about public relations. It remains unclear whether they will bid in the upcoming auction. > > Adding to these challenges, some major banks have committed to not finance drilling in the refuge. > … If American companies aren’t interested, maybe trump will give Venezuela the opportunity to bid on the leases (with a finder’s fee to him personally, of course). ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2490 "2025-10-23T21:12:17Z")
What I’m hearing from right wingers who post on FB is “But what about Obama’s basketball court?” Jesus, he didn’t touch the historic structure and you can’t even see it from the street. That’s EXACTLY the same as demolishing an historic structure and building a garish addition worthy of Nero. Others point to the Truman restoration- but that was necessary as the old building was on the verge of failure. Plus, they took great pains to rebuild exactly as it was. Others say, “it’s private money, who cares?” Fuck that shit, if someone came to my house saying that he’d pay to replace my kitchen with a 500 sq ft doghouse, I’d tell him to pound sand. I don’t give a fuck who’s paying for it, IT’S NOT HIS FUCKING HOUSE TO DO WITH AS HE PLEASES. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2491 "2025-10-23T21:20:47Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Others point to the Truman restoration Is their logic “It’s OK as long as the president’s name starts with ‘Trum’”? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2492 "2025-10-23T23:20:33Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Others point to the Truman restoration- but that was necessary as the old building was on the verge of failure. More significant to me is Truman, due to not being a dictator, rebuilt the White House after signing appropriate congressional legislation. Trumpers will jump up and say that the 1949-52 reconstruction was different because money came from the taxpayer. Most did. Truman personally paid for the Truman balcony, from his federal compensation, as opposed to Trump getting much of the ballroom (and Arch) funding from companies seeking federal contracts. I think that once this ballroom is complete, we will see massive cost overruns resulting in the government paying for most ballroom costs. But I personally wouldn’t make this claim, to Trump supporters, until it is proven rather than, as here, speculation. To my frustration, I am unable to find a link to the 1949 law. Here is an AI description: > [@](#): > > The federal law that provided for the repair, remodeling, and restoration of the White House, often referred to as the Truman Reconstruction, was enacted in **1949**. > > The law is **Public Law 81-106** (63 Stat. 576), which was an appropriation act. > > While a direct single hyperlink to the exact law text may not be available on a government website, you can often find the text or information about it by searching for the following on **[Congress.gov](http://Congress.gov)** or in the **Statutes at Large** : > > - **Public Law 81-106** > - **63 Stat. 576** > - **Commission on the Renovation of the Executive Mansion** (the body created by the act) ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2493 "2025-10-23T23:43:20Z")
[Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao](https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-binance-changpeng-zhao-crypto-exchange-e1cb3fe516bc42b4c7ce5c107a280dc7) > [@](#): > > [President Donald Trump](https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump) has pardoned [Binance founder Changpeng Zhao](https://apnews.com/article/binance-crypto-money-laundering-sanctions-changpeng-zhao-cf81925ff9b4b65e27f80f906a6a63ae), who created the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange and served prison time for failing to stop criminals from using the platform to move money connected to child sex abuse, drug trafficking and terrorism. > > The pardon caps a monthslong effort by Zhao, a billionaire commonly known as CZ in the crypto world and one of the biggest names in the industry. He and Binance have been key supporters of some of the [Trump family’s crypto enterprises](https://apnews.com/article/trump-crypto-american-bitcoin-mining-69fc9161fe037822e76b02c05f88a5df). This is not Trump being controlled by Miller and Vought. Trump is steadily and skillfully advancing his own family interests. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2494 "2025-10-24T00:29:16Z")
Obama changed a tennis court _into_ a basketball court – in essence, a paint job: [**SOURCE**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_tennis_court) > Basketball lines were drawn and baskets added so it could be used as a basketball court during the presidency of Barack Obama in 2009. Obama celebrated his 50th birthday with a game of basketball on the court organized by his friends and his aide Reggie Love. The game featured the NBA and WNBA players Shane Battier, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Maya Moore, Alonzo Mourning, Joakim Noah, Chris Paul and Derrick Rose in addition to Obama’s friends from high school. Kobe Bryant and Bill Russell were spectators. Y’all act as if Obama _never wore_ a tan suit. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2495 "2025-10-24T02:15:15Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Trump is steadily and skillfully advancing his own family interests. “Draining the swamp,” my ass. Happy now, suckers? ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2496 "2025-10-24T02:42:11Z")
“We’re going to kill them, you know. They’re going to be, like, dead.” Yeah, don’t need a declaration of war for that. > ---
**Author:** ![knavette57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knavette57/32/3871_2.png) [@knavette57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knavette57)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2497 "2025-10-24T17:00:17Z")
He is wearing a _yellow_ tie! Doesn’t he know that is the color of the No Kings Movement! Oh wait…he doesn’t know anything, and the yellow probably matches his orange face better, people will look at it and not at his pumpkin toned visage. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2498 "2025-10-24T17:36:29Z")
As of yesterday, Trump doesn’t know who Changpeng Zhao is. [He just signed whatever was put in front of him.](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3m3v6mnpkb52i) ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2499 "2025-10-24T18:37:55Z")
Since he apparently doesn’t read what is in front of him, can we sneak a resignation and admission of criminal activity onto his desk? Brian ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2500 "2025-10-24T18:40:38Z")
I think it’s our best shot. Also, that would be hilarious! ---
**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 24, 2025, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2501 "2025-10-24T18:41:13Z")
The problem is that a thorough listing, even in bullet point format, would be a stack of paper up to the ceiling. He might notice something fishy. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2502 "2025-10-24T18:45:43Z")
There’s precedent: > **[Devious Rabbit Tricks Bush Into Signing Gun Ban](https://theonion.com/devious-rabbit-tricks-bush-into-signing-gun-ban-1819567436/)** > > WASHINGTON, DC—The nation’s sweeping new gun-control legislation is the result of a confidence trick pulled on President Bush by a devious rabbit, White House sources said Tuesday. The "Coney Act," which Bush signed into law Monday, prohibits the... ---
**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 24, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2503 "2025-10-24T21:46:27Z")
> [@knavette57](#): > > He is wearing a _yellow_ tie! Naw, it’s gold, to match all the bling in the Oval Office. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2025, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2504 "2025-10-24T21:54:31Z")
I initially read that as “wearing a yellow hat”. I was going to correct that misconception – that’s not a hat, it’s the pelt of an orange marmoset that always adorns the top of his pumpkin-hued head, kinda like a comical kingly crown. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2505 "2025-10-25T00:25:00Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > As of yesterday, Trump doesn’t know who Changpeng Zhao is. [He just signed whatever was put in front of him.](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3m3v6mnpkb52i) Trump said that the crypto guy had spent 4 months in jail, and that’s true. And it shows Trump was acting deliberately. The context is that Trump was accused of self-dealing with this pardon. DJT’s claim of not knowing was a defense against charges that he knew exactly what he was doing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=124) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=126)