# 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:** 129
**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:** [March 20, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2561 "2017-03-20T18:29:33Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > When he goes to the Southern Whitetrash House does his entourage all take rooms at the going rate, or do they get a break. I’m sure the Secret Service aren’t sleeping in their cars. I’m guessing the taxpayers are paying top dollar for those rooms. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2562 "2017-03-20T19:10:20Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’m guessing the taxpayers are paying top dollar for those rooms. I know. It is [unprecedented](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/31/biden-charging-secret-service-cottage-rental/) isn’t it, that Secret Service would pay rent to those they protect. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2563 "2017-03-20T19:15:10Z")
$2,200 a month for a rental cottage? I think the Perrier in the Mar-A-Lago mini-fridges run about $2,200. ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2564 "2017-03-20T19:18:12Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I know. It is [unprecedented](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/31/biden-charging-secret-service-cottage-rental/) isn’t it, that Secret Service would pay rent to those they protect. $13k over four months, per the Moonie Times. In 2011. Trump and his crowd are costing taxpayers [$3 million per trip](http://time.com/money/4703151/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-costs-taxpayers-palm-beach/). You’re right; it’s the same! ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2565 "2017-03-20T19:21:36Z")
CNN’s Breaking News banner during the Spicer press briefing is hilarious. “Spicer said Paul Manafort played a ‘very limited role’ in Trump’s campaign. (He was campaign chairman.)” ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2566 "2017-03-20T19:31:13Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > $2,200 a month for a rental cottage? > > I think the Perrier in the Mar-A-Lago mini-fridges run about $2,200. > [@SingleMalt](#): > > $13k over four months, per the Moonie Times. In 2011. Trump and his crowd are costing taxpayers [$3 million per trip](http://time.com/money/4703151/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-costs-taxpayers-palm-beach/). You’re right; it’s the same! Is it the principle of the matter (paying rent to the one you protect) you’re objecting to or the amount? Because if it is the amounts, I can show you a bunch of bills Secret Service ran up traveling to Hawaii with Obamas… I believe even for just one vacation it was in the millions. ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2567 "2017-03-20T19:34:21Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Is it the principle of the matter (paying rent to the one you protect) you’re objecting to or the amount? > > Because if it is the amounts, I can show you a bunch of bills Secret Service ran up traveling to Hawaii with Obamas… I believe even for just one vacation it was in the millions. I don’t believe it was Mr. Batty or I drawing the equivalence here. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2568 "2017-03-20T19:35:00Z")
Besides, with Trump going south to play golf every weekend, the only way you’re winning the “Who Cost the Tax Payers More” contest is if Trump resigns within the next two weeks. ---
**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:** [March 20, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2569 "2017-03-20T19:36:34Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Is it the principle of the matter (paying rent to the one you protect) you’re objecting to or the amount? > > Because if it is the amounts, I can show you a bunch of bills Secret Service ran up traveling to Hawaii with Obamas… I believe even for just one vacation it was in the millions. How many times in eight years, vs. seven times in eight weeks? ---
**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:** [March 20, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2570 "2017-03-20T19:36:35Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I know. It is [unprecedented](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/31/biden-charging-secret-service-cottage-rental/) isn’t it, that Secret Service would pay rent to those they protect. Do you ever read your cites? > [@](#): > > According to Mr. Biden’s office, the vice president’s mother lived in the cottage until she died in January 2010. At that time, **the Secret Service had been renting properties in the Wilmington area for agents who were providing a protective presence at Mr. Biden’s personal residence.** > > Mr. Biden later asked the Secret Service if the agency wanted to rent the cottage property, but the Secret Service declined and Mr. Biden rented it instead to a private tenant, according to the vice president’s office. **But almost a year later, when that tenant moved out, the Secret Service approached Mr. Biden about renting the cottage.** ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2571 "2017-03-20T19:38:28Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Is it the principle of the matter (paying rent to the one you protect) you’re objecting to or the amount? > > Because if it is the amounts, I can show you a bunch of bills Secret Service ran up traveling to Hawaii with Obamas… I believe even for just one vacation it was in the millions. Wow! So millions for a vacation vs millions for each (frequent) weekend trip - how many weekends did Obama spend in Hawaii, anyway? Trump has been to Mar a Lago 5 times in the first 2 months. And isn’t the Secret service also paying rent in NY for Melania and Barron? So… Yeah, Trump is spending A LOT more than Obama did. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2572 "2017-03-20T19:43:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Do you ever read your cites? I did. Secret Service approached Biden about renting from him. Biden didn’t force them to rent from him, definitely. Do you have any cites that Trump forced Secret Service to rent from him? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2573 "2017-03-20T19:56:43Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Do you have any cites that Trump forced Secret Service to rent from him? Do you think there’s a rental cottage available for $2,200 a month immediately adjacent to Trump Tower or Mar-a-Lago? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2574 "2017-03-20T20:12:14Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Is it the principle of the matter (paying rent to the one you protect) you’re objecting to or the amount? > > Because if it is the amounts, I can show you a bunch of bills Secret Service ran up traveling to Hawaii with Obamas… I believe even for just one vacation it was in the millions. Ok. Show us. ---
**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:** [March 20, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2575 "2017-03-20T20:34:35Z")
Former North Carolina police chief detained by customs. I’m sure it has nothing to do with his Arabic name. > **[Retired US police chief was detained by Customs for 90 minutes | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/20/us/retired-police-chief-detained/index.html?sr=fbCNN032017retired-police-chief-detained0600PMStoryLink&linkId=35656763)** > > Hassan Aden flies so frequently, flight crews know him by name. The retired North Carolina police chief now runs a consulting firm, sending him across the country on a weekly basis. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2576 "2017-03-20T20:43:10Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Former North Carolina police chief detained by customs. I’m sure it has nothing to do with his Arabic name. > [http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/20/us/retired-police-chief-detained/index.html?sr=fbCNN032017retired-police-chief-detained0600PMStoryLink&linkId=35656763](http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/20/us/retired-police-chief-detained/index.html?sr=fbCNN032017retired-police-chief-detained0600PMStoryLink&linkId=35656763) If you read the article, you’d see that CBP said that it was because of his name; his (very common in the Arabic-speaking world) name was a known alias for someone on the watch list. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2577 "2017-03-20T20:56:51Z")
> [@Punoqllads](#): > > If you read the article, you’d see that CBP said that it was because of his name; his (very common in the Arabic-speaking world) name was a known alias for someone on the watch list. So, if some terrorist begins using the alias John Smith we can expect that all of the American citizen’s with that name will be detained also? ---
**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:** [March 20, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2578 "2017-03-20T21:05:39Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Is it the principle of the matter (paying rent to the one you protect) you’re objecting to or the amount? > > Because if it is the amounts, I can show you a bunch of bills Secret Service ran up traveling to Hawaii with Obamas… I believe even for just one vacation it was in the millions. The Mar-a-Lago rent is going right into Trump’s personal pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2579 "2017-03-20T21:07:15Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Ok. Show us. Ok. Here is one Hawaiian vacation cost for the Secret Service: [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article123335079.html](http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article123335079.html) Judicial Watch recently received records revealing that Secret Service expenses for the first family’s 2015 Hawaiian vacation cost taxpayers $1.2 million, bringing the total cost of the vacation trip to at least $4.8 million. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/2580 "2017-03-20T21:07:23Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > So, if some terrorist begins using the alias John Smith we can expect that all of the American citizen’s with that name will be detained also? Only if they have brown skin. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=128) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=130)