# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making Part Deux (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083 "2020-06-22T03:36:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 326
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6520 "2020-11-16T19:42:48Z")
This sounds just like the kind of cruelty trump prefers, including disruptions in importing medicine and food. > **[Opinion | Mike Pompeo’s legacy of incompetence peaked with his failed Iran...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/11/16/mike-pompeos-legacy-incompetence-peaked-with-his-failed-iran-policy/)** > > Pompeo's Iran policy is more about political stunts than diplomacy. > Under a strategy known as “maximum pressure,” President Trump and his assistants have implemented a range of punitive measures that have inflicted most of the damage on the Iranian people themselves. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6521 "2020-11-16T19:48:08Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > > The fact that it’s necessary to do it this way when the country is in a state of crisis is – \< _loss for words_ …\> > > Fercockt might be the word you’re looking for. _Verkakte_. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6522 "2020-11-16T20:02:15Z")
“his constellation of other psychological **infirmities** and general antisocial persona.” Well, it’s failure of imagination on my part. I didn’t consider that someone might read “and general antisocial persona” as part of the prepositional phrase rather than “persona” being parallel with “constellation.” I should have said: “his general antisocial persona and constellation of other psychologicalinfirmities.” OR “his constellation of other psychological infirmities and his general antisocial persona.” OR “his constellation of other psychological infirmities, and general antisocial persona.” [dying gasp from horse] Much as I love me a stimulating grammatical mud rassle, I imagine others are growing weary of this diversion. I even got a “get a room” message from Discourse. 😛 I move we return to mocking all things Donald. I consider you, ThelmaLou, to be the Dope’s Dorothy Parker and your snark talents are much needed by the long-suffering millions. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6523 "2020-11-16T20:02:17Z")
Is anyone surprised by this news? > **[Hate crimes in US reach highest level in more than a decade](https://apnews.com/article/hate-crimes-rise-FBI-data-ebbcadca8458aba96575da905650120d)** > > WASHINGTON (AP) — Hate crimes in the U.S. rose to the highest level in more than a decade as federal officials also recorded the highest number of hate-motivated killings since the FBI began collecting that data in the early 1990s, according to an... ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6524 "2020-11-16T20:04:22Z")
The “brand” is whatever it takes to continue his sway over the 71 million deluded morons who think he’s just swell, best prez ever. ---
**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:** [November 16, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6525 "2020-11-16T22:50:56Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > I consider you, ThelmaLou, to be the Dope’s Dorothy Parker and your snark talents are much needed by the long-suffering millions. Oh my. \<_Curtsies graciously_\> Ok, back to Donnie-Bashing. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6526 "2020-11-16T23:08:32Z")
last I looked, it was over 73M ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6527 "2020-11-16T23:23:49Z")
There’s gonna be some malicious stupidity on TV tonight: Kayleigh McEnany & Sarah Palin will both be on Hannity! ---
**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:** [November 16, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6528 "2020-11-16T23:24:24Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > That’s why I said I can’t picture a younger Donnie careening off the rails like this. He’s been who he is for decades. No surprises. But this mental shutdown strikes me as exponential deterioration. And if it is a _physical_ deterioration, then it’s going to get a whole fuckofa lot worse. That seems relevant to me. Maybe I’m the only one. It’s not often that I disagree with you, @ThelmaLou, but I don’t agree with this. All I see here is the usual pathological narcissism exerting its grip on someone thus afflicted who has suffered what he perceives as a massive public humiliation. By his own admission, he hates to lose, and he has said he “hates it more than most people”, which has to be one of the most extraordinary understatements ever uttered. He simply _ **cannot** _ be a loser. It’s not something his tiny brain can grasp. Denial is his only option, and if it necessitates creating a delusional alternate reality, then that’s what he’ll do. It’s the kind of alternate reality at the center of the book (and film of the same name) _Shutter Island_, where the mind snaps and rationality shuts down. It’s a form of insanity, yes, but not necessarily dementia. ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6529 "2020-11-16T23:29:43Z")
So, Donnie-boy lopped off the civilian heads of the Pentagon recently, and installed his yes-toadies. Now the news is telling us of troop drawdowns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Is it beyond the pale that this idjit would, out of pure spite at the whole damn world, order _ **ALL** _ troops to come home, regardless of how little sense it makes and how it won’t do anything for him, personally? I’m especially remembering the betrayal of the Kurds here. A non-zero chance of this happening? ETA: inserted ‘?’ after ‘personally’ ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6530 "2020-11-16T23:39:52Z")
> [@tripthicket](#): > > A non-zero chance of this happening? If it is a breathtakingly sputid idea and CFSG is the President, there is very much a non-zero probability if it being done. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6531 "2020-11-16T23:41:48Z")
[Wisconsin recount would cost Trump campaign $7.9 million](https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/16/politics/wisconsin-recount-estimated-cost/index.html) Donny Fail-Fail needs to fund this. Dig deep, MAGAlosers. Give him ALL of your money. Refinance your house. Sell your children. Dig deep. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6532 "2020-11-16T23:49:44Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > There’s gonna be some malicious stupidity on TV tonight: Kayleigh McEnany & Sarah Palin will both be on Hannity! Maybe they will chant “Fox News Sucks!” ---
**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:** [November 16, 2020, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6533 "2020-11-16T23:57:26Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It’s a form of insanity, yes, but not necessarily dementia. I can get behind that. The only reason I brought dementia into it is because of his age. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2020, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6534 "2020-11-17T00:51:05Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > This ^ > > Trump knows he’s facing a mountain of legal bills once he’s out of office, and while I don’t expect him to do quality time in jail, he’s not the only one facing potential imprisonment; he’s children have just as much exposure. Hell, Melania might even decide to divorce him, and then what? Not to mention, he has hundreds of millions in loans due within the next five years, and **now he can’t use the government as his cash cow**. … My bolding. I heard a story on this recently but can’t find it online; the gist is that Trump will continue to “earn” hundreds of thousands by moving from one of his properties to another, charging the Secret Service through the nose for their rooms, use of golf carts when they follow him around on the course, etc.—as he’s been doing all throughout his presidency. The thing is, there’s nothing to stop him from running the exact same con post-Presidency, given that he’s guaranteed Secret Service protection by law. From a few months back: > **[US taxpayers have shelled out at least $471,000 to Trump's properties since...](https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-charges-secret-service-for-protection-hotel-properties-report-2020-2)** > > The real number is likely much higher since $471,000 only covers a portion of Trump's time in office. The profits to Trump of stays by foreign diplomats, business representatives, and US political entities (like the RNC) may be largely gone after he leaves office. But that sweet Secret Service cash will keep flowing in. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6535 "2020-11-17T00:59:35Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > > [@asahi](#): > > > > This ^ > > > > Trump knows he’s facing a mountain of legal bills once he’s out of office, and while I don’t expect him to do quality time in jail, he’s not the only one facing potential imprisonment; he’s children have just as much exposure. Hell, Melania might even decide to divorce him, and then what? Not to mention, he has hundreds of millions in loans due within the next five years, and **now he can’t use the government as his cash cow**. … > > My bolding. I heard a story on this recently but can’t find it online; the gist is that Trump will continue to “earn” hundreds of thousands by moving from one of his properties to another, charging the Secret Service through the nose for their rooms, use of golf carts when they follow him around on the course, etc.—as he’s been doing all throughout his presidency. The thing is, there’s nothing to stop him from running the exact same con post-Presidency, given that he’s guaranteed Secret Service protection by law. > > From a few months back: > [Trump Charges Secret Service to Protect Him at His Properties: Report](https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-charges-secret-service-for-protection-hotel-properties-report-2020-2) > > The profits to Trump of stays by foreign diplomats, business representatives, and US political entities (like the RNC) may be largely gone after he leaves office. But that sweet Secret Service cash will keep flowing in. Of course, this assumes he still has properties once he pays off (or defaults on) those loans from Deutsche Bank and others. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6536 "2020-11-17T01:02:59Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Trump knows he’s facing a mountain of legal bills once he’s out of office, and while I don’t expect him to do quality time in jail, he’s not the only one facing potential imprisonment; Trump has a history of not paying such bills, getting sued for such bills, then not paying the lawyers who defended him against lawsuits over such bills. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2020, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6537 "2020-11-17T01:08:07Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Of course, this assumes he still has properties once he pays off (or defaults on) those loans from Deutsche Bank and others. True, but if he retains even one, that would let him continue grifting via charging US taxpayers for his Secret Service detail’s ‘expenses.’ ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6538 "2020-11-17T01:14:28Z")
I have no idea, but maybe there’s a budget for this kind of thing. Wouldn’t it be priceless if the Secret Service said, “We’re very sorry, Mr. President, but the Obamas’ detail only costs X and we’re not going to spend any more than that.” ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6539 "2020-11-17T01:17:04Z")
If I were in charge of Secret Service admin, I’d be happy to pay a premium to have the off-duty officers put up at any old hotel down the road [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=325) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=327)