# 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:** 178
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3546 "2026-05-07T14:15:49Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Investigate the source of the leak of course Turns out it was a drunk Ka$h mistaking the office plant for a urinal. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3547 "2026-05-07T14:40:08Z")
Boom. Nice one. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3548 "2026-05-07T23:54:04Z")
> # Millions for a Paint Job? Trump Wants the Eisenhower Building Painted White. > > _The project would transform the granite exterior of the historic Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which dates to the 1800s._ > > [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/us/politics/trump-paint-eisenhower-building.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.glA.Z6Na.xliRgj-gci9R&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/us/politics/trump-paint-eisenhower-building.html?unlocked_article_code=1.glA.Z6Na.xliRgj-gci9R&smid=url-share) > President Trump has complained that the historic Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which dates to the 1870s, is “ugly,” and he is pushing to have its granite exterior painted white so it better matches the White House next door. > > On Tuesday, the federal panel considering the proposal considered the [overwhelmingly negative feedback](https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects/2026/8777_Eisenhower_Executive_Office_Building_Exterior_Beautification_Project_Public_Comments_2_May2026.pdf) that poured in during a public comment period… > … So of course, he’ll probably go ahead and do it anyway. 🤦🏽 ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2026, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3549 "2026-05-08T00:34:30Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > So of course, he’ll probably go ahead and do it anyway. That is a good entry for this thread. I checked the web site for the [National Capitol Planning Commission](https://www.ncpc.gov/about/commission/), and it looks like 8 of the 12 members are Republican. One of them is Rand Paul, and maybe he will vote no on wasting paint. But AFAIK there are at least 7 votes Trump controls. And unlike the Arch and Ballroom, I can’t see this being subject to endless delays. So it probably will complete this term. As for a Democratic president removing the paint in the next presidential term, I do not see it. A Democrat will be much more sensitive to charges of wasting money than is Donald Trump. So this is going to be a glaring Trump legacy for a long time. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2026, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3550 "2026-05-08T03:21:35Z")
You’re probably right. And just imagine the ongoing cost to keep the paint maintained, especially if the contractor charges for high-end paint while using cheaper, shoddy stuff that will be peeling and flaking off in no time. Hey, why wouldn’t he? Got to make enough to compensate for the bribe to get the job. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3551 "2026-05-08T15:07:26Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Got to make enough to compensate for the bribe to get the job. Plus Trump’s routine “Never paying anything but the advance” plan. ---
**Author:** ![TheTooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/919ad9/32.png) [@TheTooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheTooth)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3552 "2026-05-08T16:01:37Z")
It wouldn’t be a waste. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3553 "2026-05-08T16:31:41Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > As for a Democratic president removing the paint in the next presidential term, I do not see it. A Democrat will be much more sensitive to charges of wasting money than is Donald Trump. So this is going to be a glaring Trump legacy for a long time. There may also be no easy way to remove the paint without damaging the granite exterior. Like many things that Trump touches, the damage could be permanent. At least the Arch, if it’s ever built, could be torn down. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2026, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3554 "2026-05-08T20:07:53Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Then, at 11:15, he posted an image of himself smiling and holding six wild cards from the game Uno. The caption read, “I HAVE ALL THE CARDS.” Holding “all the cards” in Uno makes you a _loser_, so that one at least is apropos… ---
**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:** [May 9, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3555 "2026-05-09T00:44:41Z")
Another one bites the dust. > # White House prepares to replace FDA leader Marty Makary amid agency turmoil > > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/05/08/fda-commissioner-marty-makary/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/05/08/fda-commissioner-marty-makary/) (Not sure if this is a gift link.) > White House officials have signed off on a plan to replace Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary after months of turmoil at the agency and criticism of some of his decisions, according to two individuals who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal operations. > > The FDA has seen a wave of senior-staff departures and faced scrutiny from pharmaceutical industry groups, antiabortion advocates and, at times, former FDA commissioners since Makary was installed as the agency’s leader last year. White House and senior health officials have spent months discussing whether to reduce Makary’s responsibilities or replace him altogether. > > The individuals said the decision rests with President Donald Trump. **Asked Friday evening about reports of Makary’s ouster, Trump disclaimed responsibility.** > > **“I’ve been reading about it, but I know nothing about it,” the president told reporters.** > … [Sgt. Schultz voice:] _“I see nothing! I hear nothing! I know nothing!”_ The last one is certainly true. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3556 "2026-05-09T01:09:05Z")
> [@from ThelmaLou's link](#): > > The FDA has seen a wave of senior-staff departures and faced scrutiny from pharmaceutical industry groups, antiabortion advocates It appears that even though he is a Trump loyalist, he tried to do some sensible things and therefore has to go. > [@](#): > > In recent months, Makary alienated key constituencies within and outside the administration as he spent significant capital on a push to bring back former top vaccine regulator Vinay Prasad, resisted the flavored vape authorizations sought by some Trump allies and frustrated anti-abortion Republicans who wanted him to move more aggressively to restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone. This is a great quote. > [@](#): > > “He will not be missed by a single career person,” said an FDA staffer granted anonymity to discuss Makary’s tenure prior to the news of his pending departure. “And we will only regret it when they manage to find someone worse.” [Makary thought his job as FDA commissioner was safe – until the moment it wasn’t - POLITICO](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/08/makary-leave-as-fda-commissioner-white-house-source-00911981) ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3557 "2026-05-09T02:10:51Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > “I’ve been reading about it, but I know nothing about it,” Sounds like someone admitting they can’t read for comprhension. ---
**Author:** ![icon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c6cbf5/32.png) [@icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icon)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3558 "2026-05-09T02:14:33Z")
Am I the only one who read Makary’s name as Malarkey and think it was rather appropriate? `//i\\` ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3559 "2026-05-09T02:25:23Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > This is a great quote. > > > [@](#): > > > > “He will not be missed by a single career person,” said an FDA staffer granted anonymity to discuss Makary’s tenure prior to the news of his pending departure. “And we will only regret it when they manage to find someone worse.” Yes it is. Makary is a legitimately distinguished physician, and the kind of gadfly whose contrarian views are worth thinking about. But you would never want him in charge of an organization much bigger than an operating room team. They’ll likely replace him with someone who is completely unqualified. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3560 "2026-05-09T13:47:37Z")
I did, too. And I pictured Joe Biden saying it. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3561 "2026-05-09T13:53:47Z")
🎼 _Ohboy-ohboy-ohboy!_ _Donnie will jump for joy!_ _When he unwraps his new toy!_ 🎶 From the _San Antonio Express-News_ today: > **[Trump’s Qatari jet to be in service by July Fourth](https://eedition.expressnews.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=25636332-b4c1-4172-9420-6f2484ea2962&share=true)** > > Trump’s Qatari jet to be in service by July Fourth > The Qatari super-luxury jet that President Donald Trump wants to use as a temporary Air Force One is on track to enter service this summer, Pentagon officials say. The White House says it’s pushing for the plane to be ready in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4. > > The Air Force has completed modifications and flight testing of the used Boeing 747-8, which is > now being painted with the red, white, blue and gold design that Trump prefers over the robin’s egg > blue color scheme that’s adorned the presidential fleet since the 1960s. > > The Pentagon accepted the jet as a gift from the Middle Eastern country in July over ethical questions and criticism about the costs, legalities and security risks of the deal. Trump intends to transfer it to his presidential library after leaving office. > > The 13-year-old jet, now known as the VC-25B Bridge aircraft, has been in Texas since last year undergoing modifications at sites across the state, including a three-month stint at San Antonio International Airport. > > … > > Upgrading the Qatari jet was expected to cost between $400 million to $1 billion above what taxpayers are already paying for the two new jets. Tje funds for the Qatari jet’s overhaul was to come from leftover funds from the Sentinel nuclear missile program, according to the Air Force. > … ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3562 "2026-05-09T14:41:48Z")
> [@](#): > > The Air Force has completed modifications and flight testing of the used Boeing 747-8 . .. > > The 13-year-old jet . . . > > Upgrading the Qatari jet was expected to cost between $400 million to $1 billion . . . I thought to check how that compares to the value of the donation. From [SimplyFlying.com](https://simpleflying.com/boeing-747-cost-in-2025/): > [@](#): > > Interestingly, these aircraft have begun to lose value at a much quicker rate than their cargo counterparts. Indeed, according to ch-aviation, the youngest active example of the 747-8, a 7.76-year-old [Korean Air](https://simpleflying.com/tag/korean-air/) jet registered as HL7644, has already seen its market value drop to just $50.21 million after less than eight years of service. So the cost to U.S. taxpayers, of the supposed gift, is maybe ten, or more likely twenty, times the value of the gift. I know people don’t put much stock in AI, for for the heck of it I asked this of Claude.ai: > [@](#): > > What would it cost El Al to upgrade a stock 747-8 to meet its security requirements? They come back with an estimate range of $3 million - $6 million. Then without my having asked, Claude says it would take a billion to meet Air Force One standards. Something tells me that in a democracy, rather than a kingdom, the $6 million job should be sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3563 "2026-05-09T17:18:38Z")
Another one of Donnies great ‘Deals’. He’s totally clueless. Oh and he thinks he can keep it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3564 "2026-05-09T17:21:33Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Then without my having asked, Claude says it would take a billion to meet Air Force One standards Which information it is doubtless getting from the very news articles discussed in this thread, as this is the only time such a thing has ever really been contemplated. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2026, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3565 "2026-05-09T21:13:24Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Something tells me that in a democracy, rather than a kingdom, the $6 million job should be sufficient. Most of the expense of an AF1 is military comm gear, nuclear & chemical survival stuff, an aerial refueling system, putting a portable operating room in the airplane, etc., etc., etc. And the one-time non-recurring cost of designing all that crap for a one- or two-airplane fleet. None of which is relevant to the mere IR missile countermeasures commonly installed on El Al airplanes. Which AF1 also has. This whole bit about a Qatari "gift"stinks to high heaven. But the price to convert a civil 747 to a presidential VC-25 was huge in the prior iteration that trump cancelled too. And was huge when the current now-aging fleet was converted back in the very late 1980s. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=177) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=179)