# 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:** 1326
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26505 "2018-10-17T19:51:43Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The op-ed basically says, “not for lack of trying” (not quite verbatim, but close enough). WTF? That’s true of every POTUS. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26506 "2018-10-17T19:52:56Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > heck “delivers everything he promised” only holds true if you’re a Republican who doesn’t care about things not on his wishlist. Trump has broken a score of his campaign promises. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26507 "2018-10-17T19:57:03Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > It’s impossible to say how Trump’s business is connected to Saudi Arabia, since … oh yeah … he refused to divest or release his taxes. > > So the more accurate and undeniably true statement is that he’s happy to rationalize a brutal murder in order to justify arms deals that only benefit Boeing, Raytheon, etc. He’s quoted as saying that he likes Saudi Arabia because of how much of his real estate they buy. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26508 "2018-10-17T20:01:31Z")
Khashoggi was originally barred from writing, or appearing on TV or tweeting in Saudi Arabia because he was being critical of Trump. You really think Trump is now concerned that he was chopped up into pieces? He’s probably got a celebration event scheduled the next time he flies over to fondle another glowing orb. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26509 "2018-10-18T00:52:56Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I read someplace (sorry, no cite) that thump sees hiring people in his so-called administration in terms of “casting.” He’s casting people to appear in the reality show about himself. In light of that, we can probably expect to see more and more actors in roles formerly held by civil servants. > > ETA: In searching for a cite for what I just wrote, I came across this article that is supportive of that idea (though not the one I was looking for). As always, mind-boggling. He REALLY is running the presidency like a reality TV show. That’s not a metaphor or analogy. That’s exactly how he’s doing it. :smack: > The article goes on to describe the discrete media events that thump has created to keep himself and his “show” in the spotlight with no other goal or longer perspective than that day’s ratings. I think Chris Cillizza, CNN Editor-at-large has finally cracked the code. Give the world’s biggest (well, maybe not THE biggest) narcissist the world’s biggest stage and watch him dance. But what he really is is the world’s biggest puppet, and the strings are being pulled and played by the Republicans who have waited decades for a guy this egotistical and this STUPID. Someone who can be manipulated with flattery, headlines, and spotlights. Thump is being used and we are all being abused. > > God, thump is a dumb as a box of toupees. He doesn’t have a fucking clue what being President of the United States means. It becomes clearer and clearer every day. And he doesn’t know that he is being played like a fiddle. You’ll be interested in this article TRUMP ALL BUT ADMITS HIS PRESIDENCY IS A REALITY TV SHOW AS HE WELCOMES MEDIA “BACK TO THE STUDIO” > **[Trump Welcomes Media 'Back to the Studio'](https://www.newsweek.com/trump-reality-show-media-presidency-777232)** > > The president chastised coverage of his televised immigration meeting and called for a review of the country's libel laws. > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump gave the strongest indication yet that he views his current job as another reality-television program prior to a Cabinet meeting Wednesday afternoon. The Republican quipped non sequiturs to reporters, such as “Welcome back to the studio,” and he praised the “ratings” his meeting on immigration received Tuesday Too bad the world is trapped watching this reality show. It’s like being on the Titanic. > [@jsc1953](#): > > It’s impossible to say how Trump’s business is connected to Saudi Arabia, since … oh yeah … he refused to divest or release his taxes. > > So the more accurate and undeniably true statement is that he’s happy to rationalize a brutal murder in order to justify arms deals that only benefit Boeing, Raytheon, etc. As Trump has mentioned…a lot…the reporter isn’t even a US citizen. He’s an immigrant, a Muslim, and a reporter. That’s the Trump trifecta for disdain. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2018, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26510 "2018-10-18T05:06:38Z")
My absentee ballot for the midterms arrived today. I’ll vote this weekend. Hawaii being a solidly blue state, it’s going to be a big Democratic victory anyway, but hey, I gotta be part of it. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26511 "2018-10-18T05:27:02Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Thump: [“I am not a baby.”](https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-60-minutes-interview-takeaways-9e77a1b9-aec3-4412-9a66-7d8223dd6563.html) (60 Minutes interview) This is true. Babies are cute and become more intelligent with the passage of time. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26512 "2018-10-18T05:30:46Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > You’ll be interested in this article > > TRUMP ALL BUT ADMITS HIS PRESIDENCY IS A REALITY TV SHOW AS HE WELCOMES MEDIA “BACK TO THE STUDIO” > > [Trump All but Admits His Presidency Is a Reality TV Show as He Welcomes Media "Back to the Studio"](https://www.newsweek.com/trump-reality-show-media-presidency-777232) > > Too bad the world is trapped watching this reality show. It’s like being on the Titanic. > > As Trump has mentioned…a lot…the reporter isn’t even a US citizen. He’s an immigrant, a Muslim, and a reporter. That’s the Trump trifecta for disdain. The article is from January ---
**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:** [October 18, 2018, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26513 "2018-10-18T05:40:32Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > The article is from January Yet, they are still rearranging the deck chairs. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2018, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26514 "2018-10-18T09:34:28Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Thump: [“I am not a baby.”](https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-60-minutes-interview-takeaways-9e77a1b9-aec3-4412-9a66-7d8223dd6563.html) (60 Minutes interview). So basically Trump and Stahl just recreated [this scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrL0pIIZSF8), but in reality. God help us all. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26515 "2018-10-18T15:49:57Z")
When Trump nixed the move of the FBI headquarters to a new site in the DC suburbs, my first impression was that he was just being spiteful and forcing them to stay in their antiquated building because of the Russia probe. I didn’t fully appreciate that he was getting a twofer. Trump’s not going to miss a chance to be spiteful on his own, but his real concern may have been he didn’t want the site developed into something that could compete with his downtown hotel: **House Democrats demand answers from Trump administration about plans for FBI headquarters** > **[House Democrats demand answers from Trump administration about plans for FBI...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/18/fbi-headquarters-washington-dc-trump/1681751002/)** > > House Democrats are asking for more information about how the administration decided to rebuild FBI headquarters across from Trump International Hotel > [@](#): > > But Democrats have criticized Trump for meeting with GSA Administrator Emily Murphy on Jan. 24, while the decision was being made about the valuable property across the street from his namesake hotel. > > … > > “As a direct result of President Trump’s clear conflict of interest on this matter, we are now requesting information and documents to determine whether the president is making decisions about the FBI headquarters based on what is best for the country or what is best for his own bottom line,” the lawmakers said in the letter. “We have heard no legitimate justification for this decision.” > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > This is true. Babies are cute and become more intelligent with the passage of time. As Colbert noted, babies also wet their own beds. Trump uses Russian hookers to wet other beds. Another example of him employing foreign labor. > [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > The article is from January Or, as Trump thinks of it, the beginning of season 2. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26516 "2018-10-18T16:44:03Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > Which brings up something else: I again checked the Trump University Litigation website, and apparently they have still not begun making payments. > > A question for the legal types: How much vetting of claimants in a class action suit happens before the suit is filed and during the time in which its tried or arbitrated? It seems to me that the defense has a strong motivation to vet the claimants prior to any settlement. After all, the plaintiffs surely claim that xx thousand people were harmed by the actions of the defendant to the tune of $yyy million. Don’t the defendants have a strong motivation to be able to counter with the fact that zz% of the people in the class are there fraudulently? > > If the claimants were already vetted, why is it taking so long to get checks to them? The plaintiff “class” for a class action suit doesn’t have to be a fixed number of people. The named plaintiff simply has to establish that there are enough members to justify class certification. 75% of the litigation in class action suits involves the defendant challenging whether the class exists at all. This generally means showing that liability to individual class members requires proof that cannot be applied to the group as a whole. For example, in a sex discrimination class action, a class must be composed of people with generally similar claims (e.g., women in middle management, whose promotion/retention was handled under a single policy). Class action suits don’t go to trial. If a class is certified, the case settles. If the court approves the settlement, it will instruct the plaintiff’s lawyers to establish procedures to vet individual class members’ claims. Usually, it’s not difficult for a class member to prove that they qualify. For example, in the Blockbuster late fee case, Blockbuster’s own records showed which members had been charged late fees. In employer sex discrimination cases, the employer’s records show who was employed and did not receive a promotion or was paid less than equivalent male employees or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26517 "2018-10-18T16:52:21Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > My absentee ballot for the midterms arrived today. I’ll vote this weekend. Hawaii being a solidly blue state, it’s going to be a big Democratic victory anyway, but hey, I gotta be part of it. Ditto here in Arizona but we’re not nearly so blue. I was going to actually do some research on the lesser offices but, fuck it – it’ll be Ds all down the line. I have seen no evidence of any ‘good’ Republicans standing up in protest against their standard-carrier. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26518 "2018-10-18T17:05:44Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Ditto here in Arizona but we’re not nearly so blue. I was going to actually do some research on the lesser offices but, fuck it – it’ll be Ds all down the line. I have seen no evidence of any ‘good’ Republicans standing up in protest against their standard-carrier. I’m of the same opinion. I do feel somewhat sorry for any deserving republicans, but a message must be sent. I’m going to vote all D as well. Everything from County Clerk to Senator. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26519 "2018-10-18T17:11:13Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The plaintiff “class” for a class action suit doesn’t have to be a fixed number of people. The named plaintiff simply has to establish that there are enough members to justify class certification. 75% of the litigation in class action suits involves the defendant challenging whether the class exists at all. This generally means showing that liability to individual class members requires proof that cannot be applied to the group as a whole. For example, in a sex discrimination class action, a class must be composed of people with generally similar claims (e.g., women in middle management, whose promotion/retention was handled under a single policy). > > Class action suits don’t go to trial. If a class is certified, the case settles. If the court approves the settlement, it will instruct the plaintiff’s lawyers to establish procedures to vet individual class members’ claims. Usually, it’s not difficult for a class member to prove that they qualify. For example, in the Blockbuster late fee case, Blockbuster’s own records showed which members had been charged late fees. In employer sex discrimination cases, the employer’s records show who was employed and did not receive a promotion or was paid less than equivalent male employees or whatever. Thank you for your reply. In the Trump University case, doesn’t the so-called “university” have records of whose money they took? If so, why has it already taken six months to determine who, of those included in the class action, qualify? Is it common for the defendant to drag his feet and mutter about how “no one knew how complicated” it is? Also, how does it work with the settlement dollar amount? If the number of those who qualify is much smaller or larger than anticipated, do the individuals get much more or less than projected? One more question – the TU litigation webpage says they are no longer accepting claim forms. So basically, if a possible claimant never signed up to be part of the class action, it’s tough shit for them? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26520 "2018-10-18T17:33:35Z")
No idea why it’s taking so long. I imagine the money has already been paid into an escrow fund and the plaintiff’s lawyers are still sorting claim forms to decide who gets what. > [@](#): > > the TU litigation webpage says they are no longer accepting claim forms. So basically, if a possible claimant never signed up to be part of the class action, it’s tough shit for them? Depends. In some states, class members are automatically part of the class unless they opt out. In others, they have to opt in. I don’t know which rule New York follows (or whether the class is governed by the federal rules of procedure, for that matter). But if it’s an opt-in system, then yes, people who didn’t sign up are screwed. They would all have received letters telling them about the suit and their rights. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26521 "2018-10-18T17:43:44Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I do feel somewhat sorry for any deserving republicans The factory ended that production run about 10 years ago. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26522 "2018-10-18T18:06:09Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > The factory ended that production run about 10 years ago. Damned outsourcing! ---
**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:** [October 18, 2018, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26523 "2018-10-18T20:45:00Z")
Bolton and Kelly got into a screaming match in the West Wing. > **[Bolton and Kelly get into heated shouting match sparking resignation fears |...](https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/18/politics/john-kelly-john-bolton-immigration/index.html?utm_source=CNN-News-Alerts)** > > A heated argument in the West Wing between chief of staff John Kelly and national security adviser John Bolton over a recent surge in border crossings turned into a shouting match Thursday, two sources familiar with the argument told CNN. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26524 "2018-10-18T20:55:59Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Bolton and Kelly got into a screaming match in the West Wing. > [https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/18/politics/john-kelly-john-bolton-immigration/index.html?utm\_source=CNN-News-Alerts](https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/18/politics/john-kelly-john-bolton-immigration/index.html?utm_source=CNN-News-Alerts) Whaaa? How could this possibly be? Just last month: **Trump insists White House is a ‘well-oiled machine’ amid op-ed craze** > **[Trump insists White House is a ‘well-oiled machine’ amid op-ed craze](https://nypost.com/2018/09/07/trump-insists-white-house-is-a-well-oiled-machine-amid-op-ed-craze/)** > > President Trump said in an interview that aired Friday that his White House was running like a “well-oiled machine” and bore no resemblance to the shambolic way it was portrayed in an anonymous opi… Our President wouldn’t lie to us. All my Trump-supporting friends tell me so. In fact, he’s the only honest President in history (Sorry Abe, but Trump is now greater than you as well). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1325) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1327)