# 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:** 148
**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:** [January 30, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2946 "2026-01-30T22:14:16Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > EDIT: What are we to make of the fact that Trump’s orders often fail to be promptly carried out, as with the above. Are they idle threats? Or is it that Trump is a dictator who has not fully consolidated power. I lean towards the latter. He’s also a lunatic who frequency spouts off random things that he abandons or contradicts himself. I suspect that there’s a lot of "wait and see if he says the same thing _twice"_ going on. _As well_ as those other two things, they aren’t mutually incompatible. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2947 "2026-01-31T01:14:55Z")
When I saw that Don Lemon was arrested I thought he was caught up in a sweep on the site of whatever crime they’re making up to charge him. But no. The tracked him down as he was in LA to cover the Grammy’s and hauled him in. What the actual fuck? We’re here. Nazi Germany has arrived in Hollywood. ---
**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:** [January 31, 2026, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2948 "2026-01-31T09:57:29Z")
> **[Dr. Oz video alleging fraud in Van Nuys prompts response from Armenian community](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/dr-oz-video-alleging-fraud-in-van-nuys-prompts-response-from-armenian-community/3838024/)** > > A social media video posted by Dr. Mehmet Oz Wednesday is drawing backlash from the Armenian community and state officials. In the video, the Trump administration appointee appears to be targeting Armenian-owned businesses in Van Nuys, accusing them... A Turkish citizen who still has it out for Armenians? What are the odds? ---
**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:** [January 31, 2026, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2949 "2026-01-31T11:30:17Z")
Meanwhile, on this side of the Atlantic: > **[Farage attack on high street Turkish barber shops is dog-whistle racism,...](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/29/farages-attack-on-turkish-barber-shops-is-dog-whistle-racism-minister-says?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other)** > > Miatta Fahnbulleh accuses Reform leader of ‘politics of grievance’ while having no plan to fix UK high streets ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2950 "2026-01-31T12:26:52Z")
Someone remind me what fascists attacking businesses owned by specific ethnic groups is called? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2951 "2026-01-31T23:49:30Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > What the actual fuck? We’re here. Nazi Germany has arrived in Hollywood. Some have opined that Don Lemon is high on Donald’s list, due to particular observations he’s made about Donald. It’s also likely that Lemon is a test case for shutting down journalism, given that he’s no long in the employ of a large corporation (which might protest). ---
**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:** [February 1, 2026, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2952 "2026-02-01T00:11:57Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Some have opined that Don Lemon is high on Donald’s list, due to particular observations he’s made about Donald. I also believe the reverse may be true: Trump has quite likely made a few observations about Lemon that are repugnant to both Trump and his acolytes. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2953 "2026-02-01T02:34:18Z")
Somehow I missed a big new horror, the national emergency that began two days ago due to Cuba beating up on the United States: [ADDRESSING THREATS TO THE UNITED STATES BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/01/addressing-threats-to-the-united-states-by-the-government-of-cuba/) The way it is written, power to implement is delegated to Lutnick and Rubio. I don’t get the feeling that Trump personally had a big involvement in writing this. It may be Trump doing a favor for Marco. Trump did tell reporters this week that ["I think Cuba will not be able to survive.”](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/31/trump-is-pressuring-cuba-its-putting-mexico-in-a-tough-spot-00758516) So DJT certainly6 knows about the emergency declared in his name. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2954 "2026-02-01T22:11:26Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > I also believe the reverse may be true: Trump has quite likely made a few observations about Lemon that are repugnant to both Trump and his acolytes. Though I was using “observations” in the sense of “public comments,” I do get your gist here. Lemon is a target that would be _very_ popular with Donald’s fans, given his ethnic heritage and his orientation. I do think the '_no corporation will defend Lemon or be subjected to public pressure as in the cancelling-Kimmel case’_ aspect is important, too. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2955 "2026-02-02T16:03:15Z")
On Threads: So I am a bit confused about something…since the Kennedy Center was created through an act of Congress, shouldn’t it only be Congress who is allowed to “shut it down” for two years? A: The Constitution is also out for repairs. It can’t be used till 2029. B: Congress wandered off and hasn’t been reported missing ---
**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:** [February 2, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2956 "2026-02-02T16:08:52Z")
> [@TeroSunbear](#): > > since the Kennedy Center was created through an act of Congress, shouldn’t it only be Congress who is allowed to “shut it down” for two years? That doesn’t follow at all. The details of the original act that funded it may have specified they’re totally hands off, or totally hands on, or anything in between for the rest of the life of the facility. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2957 "2026-02-03T02:41:46Z")
> [@TeroSunbear](#): > > shouldn’t it only be Congress who is allowed to “shut it down” for two years? Congress routinely delegates authority for day to day operations of government functions. The assumption is that reasonable people will usually do their job in a conscientious manner. If a normal manager said the place needed to close for necessary repairs, they’d likely just accept that recommendation on its face. This of course fell apart when Trump took over. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2026, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2958 "2026-02-03T02:52:09Z")
> # ‘Crisis’: The fallout from Trump’s surprise plan to close Kennedy Center > > _The president’s announcement shocked artists and staff. A message obtained by The Washington Post brought the National Symphony Orchestra’s future into focus._ > > [https://wapo.st/4qhUb0b](https://wapo.st/4qhUb0b) I don’t like this kinda talk (my bold): > President Donald Trump’s surprise Sunday announcement that he [planned to close the Kennedy Center](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/02/01/kennedy-center-trump-closure-construction/) for two years sent shock waves through the center, Washington and the broader arts world. > > “I’m not ripping it down. **I’ll be using the steel,”** Trump told reporters Monday, when asked whether he would demolish the building. **“So we’re using the structure, we’re using some of the marble and some of the marble comes down** , but when it’s open, it’ll be brand new and really beautiful.” He said the project would cost about $200 million. > … What the ever-loving fuck? That sounds **exactly** like “ripping it down.” ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2959 "2026-02-03T03:16:54Z")
Look at it like this, he said that the ballroom construction would not touch the east wing of the White House… No, wait. That’s a bad example. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2960 "2026-02-03T04:44:00Z")
Someone should keep an eye on the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Statue of Liberty. Those structures weren’t built to deify the orange one so they’re going to be considered expendable. Seriously, I know we’re supposed to take everything he says with a grain of salt, and everything is a distraction from everything else, and it hasn’t actually happened yet. But he’s making mouth noises again. And to @bobot’s point they sound very familiar. So, if The Kennedy Center does get demolished, who is not doing their job in that circumstance? It has a board of trustees right? Does anyone other than Trump have any say in this sort of thing? Can somebody get out there now and say “no you can’t do that?” And be taken seriously? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2961 "2026-02-03T04:54:38Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > It has a board of trustees right? Does anyone other than Trump have any say in this sort of thing? Probably. But as you can see in the link below, Trump made himself chairman of the board, and packed the board with his toadies. So, I have no doubt that the rest of the board has a say, but that say winds up being, “whatever you say, sir.” [https://www.kennedy-center.org/about-us/leadership/trustees/](https://www.kennedy-center.org/about-us/leadership/trustees/) ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2962 "2026-02-03T07:58:25Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > “whatever you say, sir.” … with tears in their eyes. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2026, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2963 "2026-02-03T14:17:30Z")
Don’t make me laugh when I’m mad! ---
**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:** [February 3, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2964 "2026-02-03T14:36:31Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > the Washington Monument I think you mean the “Life-sized Trumphalus”, Citizen. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2965 "2026-02-03T18:40:33Z")
Looks like Tulsi Gabbard is on a mission from god. > **[Tulsi Gabbard running solo 2020 election inquiry separate from FBI investigation](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/03/tulsi-gabbard-2020-election-investigation-ed?CMP=share_btn_url)** > > Exclusive: Trump sent national intelligence director to Georgia raid last week in approval of Gabbard’s sweeping review [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=147) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=149)