# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 7, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070 "2016-12-07T00:25:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1069
**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:** [June 11, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21365 "2018-06-11T17:18:55Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I imagine the tariffs are meant to pump up the blue collar voters who believe higher tariffs on imports will mean more manufacturing jobs here. Also, Trump simply can’t fathom a win-win situation. If other countries are happy with something, it must mean we “lost,” therefore pissing the other countries off means we have “won.” I don’t think there’s a direct way for him to profit off of tariffs; on the other hand, if anyone could figure out how to do it, it would be an organized crime goon like Trump. This is absolutely true. If the other person/country is feeling okay, it must be because they are screwing you in some way. There is no such things as friends, allies, or even peers. I mean, this is a guy who has to “win” a simple handshake, for Pete’s sake. :dubious: ---
**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:** [June 11, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21366 "2018-06-11T17:21:39Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I remember the good old days when all Trump knew how to use was the TV remote and the White House Twitter account. Did he ever figure out [how to turn on the lights](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-bannon-conway-meetings-light-switch-darkness-a7565136.html)? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21367 "2018-06-11T17:29:06Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Did he ever figure out [how to turn on the lights](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-bannon-conway-meetings-light-switch-darkness-a7565136.html)? Actually, they did. The problem was every time the lights were turned on, the Cabinet would scatter and hide. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21368 "2018-06-11T17:36:18Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I understand Trudeau’s approvals have been down lately. Did he just fix that problem? It sure won’t hurt. It looks like he’s getting support from Doug Ford and Stephen Harper, newly elected Ontario conservative premier, and previous conservative prime minister respectively. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21369 "2018-06-11T17:38:38Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > Economics is not my strong suit, and international economics even less so. So how will the shit-gibbon, his family, and the wealthy GOP members make money off tariffs? Wealthy GOP? Not so much. They are displeased. Shitgibbon & Daughter (& Sons!) make money by threatening tariffs unless their companies & investment deals get favorable treatment in other countries. (For the price of a few trademarks or a land deal, you get freer trade.) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21370 "2018-06-11T17:40:23Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I understand Trudeau’s approvals have been down lately. Did he just fix that problem? Over the weekend, Trudeau’s set-to with Trump has garnered approving comments from the Leader of the Official Opposition, Andrew Scheer; former PM Stephen Harper; Ontario Premier-elect Doug Ford; and the Leader of the Official Opposition in Alberta, Jason Kenney - all Conservatives, all backing Trudeau for standing up to Trump. I assume the polls will follow. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21371 "2018-06-11T17:42:14Z")
Double post. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21372 "2018-06-11T18:16:21Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I understand Trudeau’s approvals have been down lately. Did he just fix that problem? Yup. Trudeau’s arch enemies are lining up to defend him, including the most recent prime minister whom he routed out of office, the present Conservative leader of the federal opposition, the leader of the United Conservative party in what is usually our most conservative province, the recently elected conservative populist premier of our most populous province, and the past Conservative prime minister who gave a eulogy at Reagan’s funeral and who has been working his Republican contacts on behalf of Trudeau since Trump was elected. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21373 "2018-06-11T18:21:46Z")
I’m curious what past prime minister Kim Campbell has to say about the trade war and the NAFTA kerfuffle. She has been very vocal against “Mr. man boobs” Trump and in her warning that “we are in great peril” from him. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21374 "2018-06-11T19:25:27Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Yup. Trudeau’s arch enemies are lining up to defend him, including the most recent prime minister whom he routed out of office, the present Conservative leader of the federal opposition, the leader of the United Conservative party in what is usually our most conservative province, the recently elected conservative populist premier of our most populous province, and the past Conservative prime minister who gave a eulogy at Reagan’s funeral and who has been working his Republican contacts on behalf of Trudeau since Trump was elected. “He may be a son of a bitch. But he’s OUR son of a bitch.” ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21375 "2018-06-11T19:33:28Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > So how will the shit-gibbon, his family, and the wealthy GOP members make money off tariffs? It’s indirect. He doesn’t make money off tariffs, but the tariffs are red meat to his supporters, who are ignorant of economics, and will help him stay in power longer to make more money off all the other stuff, the corruption. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21376 "2018-06-11T20:50:18Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > “He may be a son of a bitch. But he’s OUR son of a bitch.” Well, that and Andrew Scheer is in a rather interesting political position re: dairy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21377 "2018-06-11T20:50:35Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Yup. Trudeau’s arch enemies are lining up to defend him, including the most recent prime minister whom he routed out of office, the present Conservative leader of the federal opposition, the leader of the United Conservative party in what is usually our most conservative province, the recently elected conservative populist premier of our most populous province, and the past Conservative prime minister who gave a eulogy at Reagan’s funeral and who has been working his Republican contacts on behalf of Trudeau since Trump was elected. See ? Trump really _is_ the uniter who bridges swamp-y partisan divides ! How do you like them apples, Obama ?! Winning ™. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21378 "2018-06-11T21:21:12Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Tariffs and pardons are the only two things in the presidential tool set that he has figured out how to use. He’s figured out how to use them, but only in the same way that a chimpanzee can understand how to use a paintbrush. In neither case am I going to trust the wielder with an important job. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21379 "2018-06-11T21:49:25Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > We’re going to have to amend the constitution to allow canadians to be president for that sort of apology. Didn’t we have an opportunity to elect one Canadian instead of Agent Orange? ---
**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:** [June 11, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21380 "2018-06-11T22:02:55Z")
Did [this](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/there-are-people-tasked-with-taping-trumps-papers-back-together-after-he-rips-them.html) get addressed yet? \*(The Cheeto-Faced ShitGibbon) likes to rip up papers once he’s done with them. It’s a habit he apparently took to the White House from his days running a private company and he just can’t shake it. Problem is, under the Presidential Records Act, the White House is under legal obligation to save pretty much every piece of paper the president touches while in office. … “We got Scotch tape, the clear kind,” Solomon Lartey, who earned an annual salary of almost $66,000 a year told Politico. “You found pieces and taped them back together and then you gave it back to the supervisor.” The ripped up papers he put back together included everything from newspaper clippings to invitations to letters. Lartey once put together a letter from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. “It was the craziest thing ever. He ripped papers into tiny pieces.” … Lartey (was) abruptly fired in the spring without an explanation.\* ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21381 "2018-06-11T23:58:37Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > It’s indirect. He doesn’t make money off tariffs, but the tariffs are red meat to his supporters, who are ignorant of economics, and will help him stay in power longer to make more money off all the other stuff, the corruption. It also gives him some political coverage. Now that Trump has claimed America is being targeted by other countries’ unfair trade practices, he has something to blame for any economic downturn caused by his own policies. Inflation? Unemployment? The deficit? Blame Canada! Trudeau is the new Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21382 "2018-06-12T00:00:44Z")
> [@](#): > > The ripped up papers he put back together included everything from newspaper clippings to invitations to letters. Lartey once put together a letter from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. “It was the craziest thing ever. He ripped papers into tiny pieces.” Just another front line in Donald Trump’s ongoing war with reality. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21383 "2018-06-12T01:00:45Z")
> [@carlb](#): > > He’s figured out how to use them, but only in the same way that a chimpanzee can understand how to use a paintbrush. In neither case am I going to trust the wielder with an important job. I’d put far more faith in the chimpanzee, either with a paintbrush or with tariffs and pardons. The chimpanzee is far, far more qualified. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21384 "2018-06-12T01:14:19Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Larry Kudlow was acting like a meth addict tweaking this morning. Larry Kudlow just had a heart attack, and is being treated at Walter Reed. > **[Kudlow hospitalized for heart attack, Trump tweets ahead of Kim summit | CNN...](https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/11/politics/larry-kudlow-trump-tweet/index.html)** > > US President Donald Trump’s chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow suffered a heart attack, the President tweeted as he arrived for his summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1068) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1070)