# 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:** 1341
**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:** [November 1, 2018, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26805 "2018-11-01T16:47:58Z")
The failing New York Times? Not so failing. “Shares in the publisher rose 8 percent after quarterly results on Thursday showed digital-only subscribers rose to 3.1 million at the end of September, the result of a combination of aggressive discounting and heavy spending on marketing. The company’s stock has now risen 54 percent in value this year.” Because everything that Trump says is bullshit. > **[Failing? No, says New York Times after online boost](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-york-times-results/failing-no-says-new-york-times-after-online-boost-idUSKCN1N64Y4)** > > The New York Times Co , assailed by a U.S. president who brands it as "failing," signed up more than 200,000 paying online subscribers in the third quarter, helping it top Wall Street estimates for both profit and revenue. ---
**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:** [November 1, 2018, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26806 "2018-11-01T19:01:25Z")
tldr: “_I will prevail by [making your head hurt](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/01/donald-trump-truth-abc-interview/1843180002/) so bad you will be defenseless_” “_Well, I try. I do try … and I always want to tell the truth,_” (CFSG) told ABC News, “_When I can, I tell the truth. And sometimes it turns out to be where something happens that’s different or there’s a change, but I always like to be truthful._” “_When I can_,” yeah, right. When is that? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26807 "2018-11-01T19:09:47Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > The Republican establishment would be upset about a Democratic majority in Congress, of course, but Trump wouldn’t. And as **eschereal** notes, it would also be grist to the mills of all the RW terrorists and terror promoters. And also because Trump _ **doesn’t care** _ about policy. Or Party. Or even a fucking wall when you get right down to it. He’d switch to the Socialist Party tomorrow if it increased his chances of staying in office and riding around in Air Force One a few more years. ---
**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:** [November 1, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26808 "2018-11-01T19:18:06Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > And also because Trump _ **doesn’t care** _ about policy. Or Party. Or even a fucking wall when you get right down to it. > > He’d switch to the Socialist Party tomorrow if it increased his chances of staying in office and riding around in Air Force One a few more years. I think that is not quite accurate. He does care about policy that facilitates his and his family’s grift. If a Congress dominated by Democrats started to put the squeeze on this erstwhile pauper, he would get upset and his rhetoric would trend even more toward encouraging RW nastiness (i.e., violence). ---
**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:** [November 1, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26809 "2018-11-01T20:23:14Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Sure, I think Trump himself would be perfectly happy with a Democratic Congress to provide a “villain” for his blustering and accusations, and a scapegoat for his problems and failures. For him it’s much less about specific policy goals than about drama and posturing for his base. He would be much happier in the role of “lone hero” beleaguered by the evil gang of career politicians than he is in the role of top bureaucrat of the party that controls the government. > > The Republican establishment would be upset about a Democratic majority in Congress, of course, but Trump wouldn’t. And as **eschereal** notes, it would also be grist to the mills of all the RW terrorists and terror promoters. Trump is probably not going to be fazed at all by having to deal with a split congress. For one thing, history shows that 1st term presidents can actually do surprisingly well working with a split or even a minority in congress. I think Reagan won with a split (or minority in congress). So did HW Bush. So did Clinton and Obama, and both were some of the most humiliating mid-term ass whippings in the last 50 years. So history shows it’s not a problem at all. But another factor is that Trump loves to fight, and he loves to put on a show while fighting. He could flip the script on Democrats if they go after impeachment, especially if the economy deteriorates. Not that Democrats will necessarily get blamed for causing it, but if their priorities are more about investigating Trump and not in alignment with economic concerns and other concerns that voters have, then Trump could reverse the advantage. ---
**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:** [November 1, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26810 "2018-11-01T20:39:51Z")
Trump has released a racist anti-immigration ad ahead of the midterms. > ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26811 "2018-11-02T00:16:41Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Trump has released a racist anti-immigration ad ahead of the midterms. > [https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1057728445386539008](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1057728445386539008) …Which has the distinct virtue of keeping any voters from remembering that GOP candidates plan to remove protections for those with pre-existing conditions, and ultimately plan to gut Medicare and Social Security. Look at this! Not at that! ---
**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:** [November 2, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26812 "2018-11-02T00:47:03Z")
Not to mention that he fails to note that the killer entered the country during Dubya’s presidency, not a Democrat’s. ---
**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:** [November 2, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26813 "2018-11-02T01:03:16Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Sure, I think Trump himself would be perfectly happy with a Democratic Congress to provide a “villain” for his blustering and accusations, and a scapegoat for his problems and failures. For him it’s much less about specific policy goals than about drama and posturing for his base. He would be much happier in the role of “lone hero” beleaguered by the evil gang of career politicians than he is in the role of top bureaucrat of the party that controls the government. > > The Republican establishment would be upset about a Democratic majority in Congress, of course, but Trump wouldn’t. And as **eschereal** notes, it would also be grist to the mills of all the RW terrorists and terror promoters. Besides, this reality show hasn’t had a good plot twist in a couple of seasons, and this would be a good one. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26814 "2018-11-02T14:32:15Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Not to mention that he fails to note that the killer entered the country during Dubya’s presidency, not a Democrat’s. To be specific: the killer was deported during the Clinton administration, sneaked back in a year later and was arrested, but released for “unknown reasons” by Joe Arpaio’s crew and was later deported for a drug charge. He re-entered in 2001 while GWB was president, and committed the murders that earned him a death sentence 13 years later. [Cite](https://t.co/SXR9OuWQJB). ---
**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:** [November 2, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26815 "2018-11-02T18:59:17Z")
David Fahrenthold is reporting that the judge in the Trump emoluments lawsuit has ruled that Trump’s argument that he’s too busy to deal with lawsuits is invalid, since he’s basically tweeted “bring it on” when faced with past lawsuits. > > > Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26816 "2018-11-02T21:22:47Z")
There’s also the fact that apparently he only “works” about three hours a day and goofs off for nine hours of “executive time”. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26817 "2018-11-02T21:51:00Z")
Put this in the “Stuff We Already Knew” folder in the “No Shit Sherlock” drawer: [Michael Cohen reminisces about Trump being racist](https://www.mediaite.com/online/michael-cohen-drops-bombshell-trump-made-racist-comments-said-black-people-too-stupid-to-vote-for-him/). ---
**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:** [November 3, 2018, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26818 "2018-11-03T05:05:51Z")
Protesters in Nigeria threw rocks at military members and then opened fire. The government used Trump’s words about shooting rock throwers for justification. > **[Nigerian Army Uses Trump’s Words to Justify Fatal Shooting of Rock-Throwing...](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/world/africa/nigeria-trump-rocks.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&fbclid=IwAR1yhYVo2o_t43Qd1GMyQyeHWLXw1-YWBnfY8HHUIW2lknG8_X-vr8CQb6Q)** > > President Trump said rocks would be considered firearms if thrown at the American military. The Nigerian Army pointed to that language when explaining why its soldiers fatally shot protesters. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2018, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26819 "2018-11-03T06:22:18Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Protesters in Nigeria threw rocks at military members and then opened fire. The government used Trump’s words about shooting rock throwers for justification. > [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/world/africa/nigeria-trump-rocks.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&fbclid=IwAR1yhYVo2o\_t43Qd1GMyQyeHWLXw1-YWBnfY8HHUIW2lknG8\_X-vr8CQb6Q](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/world/africa/nigeria-trump-rocks.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&fbclid=IwAR1yhYVo2o_t43Qd1GMyQyeHWLXw1-YWBnfY8HHUIW2lknG8_X-vr8CQb6Q) umm, > [@](#): > > Soldiers fired this Monday on a march of about 1,000 Islamic Shiite activists who had blocked traffic on the outskirts of the capital, Abuja.… > > Earlier this year after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, during which Mr. Trump praised the Nigerian leader’s fight against the Islamic State in West Africa … ignorant fuck ---
**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:** [November 3, 2018, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26820 "2018-11-03T11:42:45Z")
Scaramucci says Trump is an “intentional liar. It’s very different than just being a liar-liar.” [https://t.co/PENcUAYnFy](https://t.co/PENcUAYnFy) ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26821 "2018-11-03T12:54:25Z")
Trump’s philosophy is now, has always been, the ends justify the means. Nothing says you have to be the least bit honest or ethical if you think your goal is worthy. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26822 "2018-11-03T14:54:06Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Scaramucci says Trump is an “intentional liar. It’s very different than just being a liar-liar.” > > [https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1055579796762255360/video/1](https://t.co/PENcUAYnFy) The Mooch has been all over the talk circuit lately. I correctly guessed that he has a new book out. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26823 "2018-11-03T15:41:44Z")
Here’s another [summation](https://www.salon.com/2018/11/03/trump-rolls-out-willie-horton-2-0-the-most-racist-political-ad-in-30-years/)of the thump way: > [@](#): > > Donald Trump is a professional wrestling “heel” (or villain). He lies, insults his opponents, pretends he is a victim, breaks the rules at will and is willing to do anything to win. Like any other such heel, Trump delights in violence. He is a master of it. > > As the professional wrestling match reaches its climax, the heel only becomes more violent. > > He assaults the “face” (i.e., the hero) with all manner of weapons and objects, the blood flows and the crowd howls. The crowd knows that this is what the heel will inevitably do. It is his nature. It is expected. It is no less shocking. > > America is at such a moment with Donald Trump. Days before the midterm elections and following lethal violence inspired by his rhetoric and policies, Trump the wrestling villain has pulled a weapon out of his trunks and is gouging his opponents with it. The audience in the arena howls, as disgust and anger combine with glee and titillation. > … The article is about thump’s assertion that the caravan is going to invade the USA with disease-ridden thugs and gang members. I’m guessing many of the deplorables are wrestling fans, so this may be another reason why they understand and relate to him. I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/26824 "2018-11-03T15:56:39Z")
Well, we’d already noticed he looked like a supervillain and that it was a family trait. Thing is, aren’t heels supposed to eventually lose? If Donald Trump is Kingpin with worse hair we’re kind of in luck: the majority of his brand’s opponents do have law degrees, that’s got to count as a start. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1340) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1342)