# 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:** 1193
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23845 "2018-08-07T01:36:19Z")
Or that being compared to Barnum is a positive thing… ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23846 "2018-08-07T02:02:45Z")
Could someone convince CFSG that it would be in his best interests to see the Egress? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23847 "2018-08-07T02:19:04Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > [And you thought your relatives’ home movies were bad:](https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-replays-tivo-debates-rallies-white-house-23263995-4827-4ead-a29a-626603e2483c.html) Now I know what Satan has planned for me. ---
**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:** [August 7, 2018, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23848 "2018-08-07T02:20:35Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Why am I not surprised that Loser Donald would think P.T. Barnum is still alive? Well, he looked healthy in that movie and that was just a few months ago. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23849 "2018-08-07T02:21:01Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > Could someone convince CFSG that it would be in his best interests to see the Egress? Not any old Egress, mind you. The Great Egress! The Greatest Egress the World has ever seen!! The only Egress fit for the man who will MAGA!!! ---
**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:** [August 7, 2018, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23850 "2018-08-07T02:25:49Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > [And you thought your relatives’ home movies were bad:](https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-replays-tivo-debates-rallies-white-house-23263995-4827-4ead-a29a-626603e2483c.html) > [@](#): > > Trump used to enjoy rewatching the moment in that debate when Clinton observed, “It’s just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country.” > > “Because,” Trump replied, “you’d be in jail.” > > A source who’s discussed the moment with Trump told me, “He thinks it’s the greatest thing that ever happened in the history of presidential debates.” It’s telling that Trump thinks this is a great moment even though what he actually did in that exchange was make a promise he would fail to follow through on. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23851 "2018-08-07T03:22:58Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > > [@Kobal2](#): > > > > > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > > > > > As much as I despise both Bolton and Crunchy Howard, I would expect an operation by any of our government intelligence services would result in Maduro being dead dead dead. Or at least seriously injured. > > > > > > My guess is this was an internal attempt by some amateurs. > > > > > > Of course if this was farmed out to Roger Stone and some dude he met at a gun show who knew where he could get some drones and C4 on the cheap, well then all bets are off. > > > > How many times did they try to off Castro, remind me ? 😉 > > (638. The answer is 638 times.) > > Indeed. I think the last successful overthrow of a government by the CIA was Guatemala in 1954, a full 64 years ago. While I get the point you guys are making, I was thinking more about [the success of this operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Osama_bin_Laden) and was in response to the suggestion it was probably a Bolton/Trump operation. Admittedly, _OBL_ wasn’t a head of state, but if Special Forces could pull that off, I’d think there would a decent chance of success if that type of effort was aimed at Maduro. Of course, that sort of operation against an actual head of state would have very different repercussions than killing a terrorist. And yet it appears the evidence indicates it was some [local group](https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/06/americas/venezuela-maduro-apparent-assassination-attempt/index.html) anyway, as I suggested. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23852 "2018-08-07T05:19:43Z")
Chump Jr. looks to be in some deep shit. And I’ve read speculation Mueller could be angling to offer Traitor-in-Chief Chump a deal: Resign if you want to save your son. If that were to happen, would Chump take the deal or throw Junior under the bus? Someone should start a poll. ---
**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:** [August 7, 2018, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23853 "2018-08-07T05:45:55Z")
Hey, not a prob, man, he can just whip out his big, beautiful pardon pen and save the little thug all on his own. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23854 "2018-08-07T05:48:21Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Chump Jr. looks to be in some deep shit. And I’ve read speculation Mueller could be angling to offer Traitor-in-Chief Chump a deal: Resign if you want to save your son. If that were to happen, would Chump take the deal or throw Junior under the bus? Someone should start a poll. Couldn’t Pops just pardon Jr.? Yeah, I get the implications\* that would involve but I don’t see Donnie Sr. giving up his office voluntarily for anyone. \*Once he is pardoned Don Jr. can’t invoke the 5th and would have to testify and people think the uproar among GOP Congresscritters would be bad for Don Sr. Yeah, I get that. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23855 "2018-08-07T05:50:00Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It’s telling that Trump thinks this is a great moment even though what he actually did in that exchange was make a promise he would fail to follow through on. …while still running the whole concept of Justice through the wood chipper, proving his opponent right regardless of the reaction in the peanut gallery. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23856 "2018-08-07T07:14:39Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Chump Jr. looks to be in some deep shit. And I’ve read speculation Mueller could be angling to offer Traitor-in-Chief Chump a deal: Resign if you want to save your son. If that were to happen, would Chump take the deal or throw Junior under the bus? Someone should start a poll. What for? Of his kids, Little Two-Scoops isn’t the one he’s trying to fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23857 "2018-08-07T14:14:29Z")
Commerce Secretary Ross is accused of a pattern of grift, ranging from defrauding his clients of millions in fees, to stiffing his partner of millions, to reneging on charitable pledges, to not paying his household staff, to stealing Sweet and Low packets from restaurants. > [@Forbes](#): > > Over several months, in speaking with 21 people who know Ross, Forbes uncovered a pattern: Many of those who worked directly with him claim that Ross wrongly siphoned or outright stole a few million here and a few million there, huge amounts for most but not necessarily for the commerce secretary. At least if you consider them individually. But all told, these allegations—which sparked lawsuits, reimbursements and an SEC fine—come to more than $120 million. If even half of the accusations are legitimate, the current United States secretary of commerce could rank among the biggest grifters in American history. > **[New Details About Wilbur Ross’ Business Point To Pattern Of Grifting](https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2018/08/06/new-details-about-wilbur-rosss-businesses-point-to-pattern-of-grifting/)** > > If even half of the accusations are legitimate, the current United States secretary of commerce could rank among the biggest grifters in American history. This will get, what, a few mentions here and there before being lost in the shuffle of all the insanity and corruption of this administration? Oh how I long for the days when a Cabinet official being accused of $120 million of fraud would dominate the news for weeks. Good times. ---
**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:** [August 7, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23858 "2018-08-07T15:25:18Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > While I get the point you guys are making, I was thinking more about [the success of this operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Osama_bin_Laden) and was in response to the suggestion it was probably a Bolton/Trump operation. Admittedly, _OBL_ wasn’t a head of state, but if Special Forces could pull that off, I’d think there would a decent chance of success if that type of effort was aimed at Maduro. Of course, that sort of operation against an actual head of state would have very different repercussions than killing a terrorist. OBL wasn’t an elected head of state, it took many years before he was found, and the means used to kill him were… somewhat overkill, much less deniable. You guys breached the sovereignty of an (ostensibly) allied country and performed what anybody would deem an open act of war upon Pakistan. And it was kind of OK still, because Pakistan had a vested interest in remaining USA’s bitch ; because they’d kind of been helping the guy while saying they weren’t and were in no position to raise a fuss ; and because OBL was, well, OBL. Almost, but not quite, modern day Hitler. The US could of course have done the same with Castro - or with Maduro… but I don’t think the response of their respective countries (nevermind the rest of the world’s public opinion) would have been \*quite \*the same. Which is why attempts on Castro’s life always involved plausibly deniable exploding shrimp cocktails, cigars laced with beard-trimmers and the like. And why an attempt on Maduro’s life by the US probably wouldn’t involve Predator drones. (no, but really, do read up on the attempts on Castro’s life because the CIA must have been mainlining Will E. Coyote back in the 60s/70s. It’s hilarious) ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23859 "2018-08-07T17:04:18Z")
The city of West Hollywood’s city council has voted to remove Trump’s star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [https://www.yahoo.com/gma/city-passes-proposal-remove-trumps-star-hollywood-walk-051012539--abc-news-topstories.html](https://www.yahoo.com/gma/city-passes-proposal-remove-trumps-star-hollywood-walk-051012539--abc-news-topstories.html) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23860 "2018-08-07T17:16:29Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The city of West Hollywood’s city council has voted to remove Trump’s star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. > [https://www.yahoo.com/gma/city-passes-proposal-remove-trumps-star-hollywood-walk-051012539--abc-news-topstories.html](https://www.yahoo.com/gma/city-passes-proposal-remove-trumps-star-hollywood-walk-051012539--abc-news-topstories.html) I am annoyed by this. I understand that the star ‘owners’ pay to have the stars there; removing the star because some anti-Trump assholes decided to vandalize it seems like they’re punishing the victim here (and believe me, describing Trump as the “victim” is not something that comes easily to me). And one wonders if they have to pay him money back if they remove the star. Furthermore, this… > [@](#): > > “Similar to how certain members of the entertainment community have been removed from the Academy of Motion Pictures, due to their actions toward women, reflecting a stance on their values by the Academy, this is an opportunity for decision-makers to take a stand on their values in support of women and against disturbing treatment of women,” the West Hollywood City Council said ahead of Monday’s vote. …seems like a blatant post hoc rationalization for a vote that likely has more to do with the Council a) disliking Trump and b) caving due to the vandals. Yes, Trump is an asshole who has treated many women badly, but by that criteria they’ll have to pull up half the sidewalk. And while I can sympathize with what I assume to be the political views of vandals, vandalism is still petty and destructive and wrong. Now stop making me defend Trump. I feel so unclean now. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23861 "2018-08-07T17:25:24Z")
You’d have to assemble a violin out of individual carbon atoms for it to be small enough for me to play for Trump. ---
**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:** [August 7, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23862 "2018-08-07T17:42:39Z")
The report I read said that the city council also included a recommendation to re-evaluate other people on the walk, like Cosby and Weinstein, so it doesn’t sound like it’s just Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23863 "2018-08-07T17:44:42Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > The report I read said that the city council also included a recommendation to re-evaluate other people on the walk, like Cosby and Weinstein, so it doesn’t sound like it’s just Trump. Wouldn’t this be erasing history? ---
**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:** [August 7, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/23864 "2018-08-07T17:52:49Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Wouldn’t this be erasing history? No, it’s _because_ of history. They’re deemed no longer worthy of an honor. Just as an honorary degree can be revoked. Or the [Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard,_Tomb_of_the_Unknown_Soldier_Identification_Badge). It’s a permanent award but can be revoked if the soldier ever behaves in a manner that brings dishonor on The Tomb. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1192) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1194)