# 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:** 137
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2726 "2025-12-23T01:52:12Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > “Trump” class battleship? For good reason, there is no battleship currently in active service in any world navy. Trump boats will apparently be smaller than almost all World War II battleships, but are still in that class. Reports are that the ships will be all-steel because Donald is anti-aluminum. Can I hope such dangerous nonsense is going to lose MAGA at least a few votes among our sailors? As to whether some of these will really be built, I think there is good chance. If Trump dies before the end of this term, almost definitely yes. The GOP will want to complete the project to honor Donald’s legacy, and Democratic party politicians will, to the great dismay of their base, limit criticism of the dead man. If any Republican is, legitimately or otherwise, inaugurated in January 2029, of course construction will proceed. They won’t even make substantial design changes, as rising costs would be used against them. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2727 "2025-12-23T02:07:26Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Just when I thought he couldn’t be an expert at anything else, Trump turns our to be a naval engineer! Is there no end to this man’s talents? He’s starting to sound very similar to the Kims in North Korea, all of whom have been experts in subway construction, building dams, designing ships and submarines, building hospitals, making films, and writing more books than Stephen King. ---
**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:** [December 23, 2025, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2728 "2025-12-23T02:10:51Z")
A nuclear missile armed surface ship? How useless. But at least it looks a lot like the recently useless LCS ships which means the usual useless defense contractors will be able to charge DoD to fail to build it. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2729 "2025-12-23T02:30:23Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > He’s starting to sound very similar to the Kims in North Korea, all of whom have been experts in subway construction, building dams, designing ships and submarines, building hospitals, making films, and writing more books than Stephen King. Agree. I’m surprised that Donald Trump is running behind on putting his picture on postage stamps. That word forever – it mysties me how he can resist it. Other than that, he’s a normie dictator. ---
**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:** [December 23, 2025, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2730 "2025-12-23T02:39:30Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > As to whether some of these will really be built… As with his other threats, promises, and projects, he doesn’t need to follow through. It would be really expensive and a lot of trouble to actually _build_ these ships. How much smarter and more budget-wise to produce a line of models for all market levels from Wal-mart to The Franklin Mint! Low price of $25 ea in plastic ($125 for the set), all the way to $10,000 for a deluxe 12 ft. model suitable for swimming pool “War Games.” Instead of an expense, turn these ships into a source of revenue. Hats, jackets, patches, t-shirts, holsters, baby onesies-- a frickin’ gold mine! Who needs the real thing? That would just be a headache. * * * > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I’m surprised that Donald Trump is running behind on putting his picture on postage stamps. Why bother? Postal revenue doesn’t go into his own pockets, so who cares? ---
**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:** [December 23, 2025, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2731 "2025-12-23T02:49:23Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Postal revenue doesn’t go into his own pockets Yet.  ---
**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 23, 2025, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2732 "2025-12-23T03:09:09Z")
> Trump said he would personally be involved in their design, as he’s a “very aesthetic person.” Is he going to name one of them “Vasa”? ---
**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 23, 2025, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2733 "2025-12-23T03:11:13Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > > [@MikeF](#): > > > > Just when I thought he couldn’t be an expert at anything else, Trump turns our to be a naval engineer! Is there no end to this man’s talents? > > He’s starting to sound very similar to the Kims in North Korea, all of whom have been experts in subway construction, building dams, designing ships and submarines, building hospitals, making films, and writing more books than Stephen King. In North Korea, when you see Kim Jong-Un (or any of his predecessors) touring some military or other facility, there are always officials furiously scribbling notes in little notebooks they carry. The concept is that Dear Leader is the font of all wisdom and his observations, which are far beyond the abilities of normal mortals, must be faithfully recorded and all his advice dutifully followed. As a wannabe dictator, this is what Trump aspires to. But the man is so incredibly, ineffably stupid that, in the absence of an absolute dictatorship like in NK, Trump’s bloviations are just comical. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2734 "2025-12-23T06:24:49Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > He’s starting to sound very similar to the Kims in North Korea, all of whom have been experts in subway construction, building dams, designing ships and submarines, building hospitals, making films, and writing more books than Stephen King. Don’t forget the incredible golfing prowess. A hole in one every time. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2735 "2025-12-23T09:33:54Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I’m surprised that Donald Trump is running behind on putting his picture on postage stamps. Under US law a person has to be dead before his face may be put on a stamp. I am in favour of a Trump stamp. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2736 "2025-12-23T12:50:08Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Under US law a person has to be dead before his face may be put on a stamp. Are you sure? ChatGPT and Gemini say it is a mere policy – not even a regulation. This isn’t proof, but I’d like to see a US Code reference. Besides, Trump already is violating naming provisions in law. Plus, Bondi would never prosecute. And Trump would pardon. And SCOTUS would overrule a court order. But I actually think a Trump Forever stamp would be perfectly legal. As for the rest of the your post, the advantages of President Vance or Johnson have no personal appeal. Claims that Vance lacks Trump’s charisma escape me. If anything, Vance is Trump with fewer gaffes and more big tent gestures to white supremacists and antisemites.. ---
**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 23, 2025, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2737 "2025-12-23T13:13:44Z")
The purge continues. At least 29 senior career diplomats around the world are being replaced by Trump sycophants … > **[Trump removes nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial positions](https://apnews.com/article/diplomacy-ambassadors-state-department-1a10058998c86e799ce4e5132a99da18)** > > The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts as it moves to reshape the U.S. diplomatic posture abroad with personnel deemed fully supportive of President Donald Trump’s “America... ---
**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:** [December 23, 2025, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2738 "2025-12-23T14:53:28Z")
Of course that approach to ambassadors will work just as well as the Chinese “wolf warrior” approach. IOW, all the countries will line up to push back & tell you (IOW us) to go f\*\*\* your = ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2739 "2025-12-23T16:04:17Z")
I’m sure replacing experienced diplomats with MAGA morons will greatly enhance America’s soft power globally. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2740 "2025-12-23T17:28:51Z")
They all add to the gaiety of nations. ---
**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 24, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2741 "2025-12-24T00:17:52Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > enhance America’s soft power globally. If these people ever managed to understand what “soft power” is, they’d be contemptuous of it. Power comes from guns, not feelings. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2025, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2742 "2025-12-24T04:15:45Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > > Trump said he would personally be involved in their design, as he’s a “very aesthetic person.” > > Is he going to name one of them “Vasa”? Seems appropriate. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2025, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2743 "2025-12-24T04:41:47Z")
The curator for the USS _New Jersey_ has a [14-minute video](https://youtu.be/q7sfS_9RenE) the the proposed specs of the Trump-class BB. What stood out to me was the 6-inch armor belt. That’s not a battleship, that’s a cruiser – thin skinned just like her namesake. ---
**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 24, 2025, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2744 "2025-12-24T10:10:48Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > If these people ever managed to understand what “soft power” is, they’d be contemptuous of it. Power comes from guns, not feelings. And money… but then, they seem to think money _is_ hard power, and are baffled when anyone just says “no” to someone wealthy. Heck, the rich people supporting the fascists actually seem to think they’ll still be allowed to have control under a fascist government that can just confiscate their money, or send thugs over to beat them into submission or kill them. Much of the Right thinks that money = power is some law of nature and not a cultural matter. But unlike bullets, a refusal to care _can_ render money ineffective. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2745 "2025-12-24T14:46:30Z")
For your holiday amusement, we present: _The Oval Office in Pictures_ [gift link] [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/briefing/inside-the-oval-office.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.\_E8.VaUS.8YD3PTMdYoel&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/briefing/inside-the-oval-office.html?unlocked_article_code=1._E8.VaUS.8YD3PTMdYoel&smid=url-share) 🙄 Interesting note: > …The room is also more insular now. In past administrations, aides used a small peephole in one of the doors leading to other parts of the West Wing, allowing them to monitor the progress of meetings. Trump has blocked it with new mirrors. If the door is closed now, they cannot see what is happening in the room. > > All the gold — on those mirrors, on the frames of the portraits beside them, in the inlaid seal on the coffee table — has led to rumors that they’re just cheap plastic, painted gold. Trump denies it, and a White House official told The Times that while the underlying materials are made of plaster or metal, they are covered in real gold leaf. I dug this detail: **A craftsman from Florida** regularly travels to the White House to gild parts of the Oval Office by hand, often when the president is away on weekends. > … (My bold.) Well, he created one job anyway… * * * * * * [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/23/briefing/oakImage-1766521942677/oakImage-1766521942677-superJumbo-v2.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp) ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/23/briefing/oakImage-1766521942677/oakImage-1766521942677-superJumbo-v2.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp) Sleepy Joe Biden just had some dumb plants on the mantelpiece. What a wimp. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=136) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=138)