# 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:** 1077
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21525 "2018-06-14T11:01:54Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I don’t understand Trump’s insistence on protecting ZTE, unless it’s just to show China that he’s not intentionally driving them into the ground. IIRC, the company’s financial problems predated Trump and was the result of the restrictions imposed already. The conspiracy theorist wonders if there’s something personally in it for Trump, like a hotel project somewhere in Hainan. [Indonesia, actually](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/5/15/17355202/trump-zte-indonesia-lido-city). ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21526 "2018-06-14T12:01:47Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > [Indonesia, actually](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/5/15/17355202/trump-zte-indonesia-lido-city). Honestly, I was just speculating, but if the article is correct, then it looks like he really and truly is a president who horse trades American foreign policy for his own personal wealth. How his fanboys can look at this and support him boggles the mind. I suppose their default defense is that the Clintons were just as corrupt, so there’s no point in being outraged. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2018, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21527 "2018-06-14T12:21:31Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I don’t understand Trump’s insistence on protecting ZTE, unless it’s just to show China that he’s not intentionally driving them into the ground. IIRC, the company’s financial problems predated Trump and was the result of the restrictions imposed already. The conspiracy theorist wonders if there’s something personally in it for Trump, like a hotel project somewhere in Hainan. Wasn’t there speculation that it was quid pro quo (the “quo” being China granting some trademarks to Ivanka)? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21528 "2018-06-14T12:35:07Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Honestly, I was just speculating, but if the article is correct, then it looks like he really and truly is a president who horse trades American foreign policy for his own personal wealth. Coming from a family of horse traders, I would appreciate it if you refrained from insulting my foreparents like that. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21529 "2018-06-14T12:47:57Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Honestly, I was just speculating, but if the article is correct, then it looks like he really and truly is a president who horse trades American foreign policy for his own personal wealth. > > How his fanboys can look at this and support him boggles the mind. I suppose their default defense is that the Clintons were just as corrupt, so there’s no point in being outraged. The defenses I’ve gotten from Trump supporters basically boil down to, “It just looks bad and isn’t any evidence of bribery” and “ZTE is important to China and it’s entirely reasonable for Trump to try to save it in order to prevent a trade war”. Whether you find either excuse reasonable is between you and your local bridge salesman. ---
**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 14, 2018, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21530 "2018-06-14T14:14:57Z")
Somebody? Anybody? Bueller? > [@](#): > > [Trump White House advertises at a Hill job fair amid staff exodus](https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/13/white-house-hill-job-fair-645592) > > The White House – which has been having trouble filling positions as it bleeds staffers – is now trying to find recruits at a conservative job fair on the Hill. > > “Interested in a job at the White House?” is the subject line of an email that was blasted out widely to Republicans on the Hill late Wednesday advertising the upcoming event… ---
**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 14, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21531 "2018-06-14T14:22:32Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Somebody? Anybody? Bueller? > > > [@](#): > > > > Quote: > > Trump White House advertises at a Hill job fair amid staff exodus > > > > The White House – which has been having trouble filling positions as it bleeds staffers – is now trying to find recruits at a conservative job fair on the Hill. > > > > “Interested in a job at the White House?” is the subject line of an email that was blasted out widely to Republicans on the Hill late Wednesday advertising the upcoming event… This fairly screams for an SNL sketch. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21532 "2018-06-14T14:47:25Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Somebody? Anybody? Bueller? > [@Politico](#): > > Trump White House advertises at a Hill job fair amid staff exodus > > The White House – which has been having trouble filling positions as it bleeds staffers – is now trying to find recruits at a conservative job fair on the Hill. > > “Interested in a job at the White House?” is the subject line of an email that was blasted out widely to Republicans on the Hill late Wednesday advertising the upcoming event… It’s not like they could do worse. I think they ought to hit up the local High Schools. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21533 "2018-06-14T15:20:40Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > This fairly screams for an SNL sketch. Spicer and Rosanne should be there looking for a job, along with Comey, McCabe, etc. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21534 "2018-06-14T15:24:58Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It’s not like they could do worse. I think they ought to hit up the local High Schools. I didn’t think that Roy Moore was a part of the administration. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21535 "2018-06-14T15:27:40Z")
Well, of course they’re having trouble filling positions if they’re only telling conservatives about 'em. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21536 "2018-06-14T15:45:49Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Well, of course they’re having trouble filling positions if they’re only telling conservatives about 'em. Maybe they should go out and advertise in coal country. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21537 "2018-06-14T16:06:11Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Maybe they should go out and advertise in coal country. The problem with the people in coal country is that they want the jobs to come to them, and they want the jobs to be the jobs they’ve always done. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21538 "2018-06-14T16:09:37Z")
[New York attorney general sues Trump Foundation](https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/14/politics/new-york-lawsuit-trump-foundation/index.html) > [@](#): > > The New York attorney general on Thursday sued President Donald Trump’s charitable foundation along with its directors – the President, his sons Eric and Donald Jr. and daughter Ivanka, alleging they violated state and federal charities law. > > Attorney General Barbara Underwood alleges a pattern of persistent illegal conduct over more than a decade that includes extensive unlawful political coordination with the Trump presidential campaign. > > Underwood is asking a court to dissolve the Trump Foundation and wants $2.8 million in restitution plus additional penalties. > > The attorney general seeks to ban Trump from serving as a director of a New York not-for-profit for 10 years and Trump’s children from serving for one year. > > Letters were sent to the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Election Commission to identify possible violations of federal law. > > The complaint alleges that the Trump Foundation engaged in repeated and willful self-dealing transactions to benefit Trump’s personal and business interests. > > “As our investigation reveals, the Trump Foundation was little more than a checkbook for payments from Mr. Trump or his business to nonprofits, regardless of their purpose or legality,” Underwood said. “This is not how private foundations should function, and my office intends to hold the Foundation and its directors accountable for its misuse of charitable assets.” > > The investigation also found that the board existed in name only and did not meet after 1999. Additionally, Trump allegedly made all decisions related to the foundation. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21539 "2018-06-14T16:29:53Z")
I wonder if anyone is giving the iDJiT subpoenas on his birthday. ---
**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 14, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21540 "2018-06-14T16:34:16Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > The problem with the people in coal country is that they want the jobs to come to them, and they want the jobs to be the jobs they’ve always done. So give them a shovel and have them dig Trump out from under the pile of shit he is under. ---
**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 14, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21541 "2018-06-14T16:35:05Z")
The Republicans threw shitfits when Obama saluted his own military. [Trump salutes NK generals](https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/14/politics/trump-north-korea-salute/index.html)and there’s not a peep from the Party Of Turncoats. ---
**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 14, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21542 "2018-06-14T16:36:41Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So give them a shovel and have them dig Trump out from under the pile of shit he is under. How do you tell when you’re reached Trump? ---
**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:** [June 14, 2018, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21543 "2018-06-14T16:42:05Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The Republicans threw shitfits when Obama saluted his own military. [Trump salutes NK generals](https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/14/politics/trump-north-korea-salute/index.html)and there’s not a peep from the Party Of Turncoats. This is because Republicans don’t actually believe the things they claim to believe. ---
**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 14, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/21544 "2018-06-14T16:54:01Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > This is because Republicans don’t actually believe the things they claim to believe. To be fair, you can find this disconnect on both sides, but the right is louder and more obnoxious about it by several orders of magnitude. The left simply doesn’t have a Hannity _et al_, and while that’s a very good thing, it allows the right to control the hopelessly stupid. And there is really no other usable term for anyone who takes Hannity (and O’Reilly and Limbaugh before him) and their ilk seriously. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1076) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1078)