# 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:** 1431
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28605 "2018-12-26T23:00:03Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > In all honesty, _every_ presidential visit to Iraq since 2003 has been a PR stunt. It’s not like they’re going there to hand-deliver military orders. > > (And…every presidential or cabinet-level visit to Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001 has been “unannounced”. When the day comes that we all get advance notice that a president is going to put Baghdad or Kabul on the itinerary, we’ll know that we’ve achieved Utopia.) Let’s remember that the original plan was for Agent Orange to spend 16 days in FL starting the weekend before Christmas. Somehow I really doubt there was any other plan in place for that time absent the latest developments that damaged his image with the wavering segments of his base. ---
**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:** [December 26, 2018, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28606 "2018-12-26T23:00:37Z")
I was _wondering_ why he didn’t tweet at all for 20 hours between yesterday afternoon and today. It makes sense now - that’s probably enough time for AF1 to fly from DC to Iraq, spend three hours on the ground, and then fly back. I imagine he has no idea how to get his phone to connect to AF1’s Wifi, and nobody wanted to show him how. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28607 "2018-12-26T23:04:08Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Of all the total outrages of the Trump Administration, we can cross off “Failed to ever visit troops in a combat zone.” . It’s a good reminder that 15 years after the US invaded Iraq, it’s still a combat zone. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28608 "2018-12-26T23:14:03Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > It’s a good reminder that 15 years after the US invaded Iraq, it’s still a combat zone. Is Iraq still a combat zone, as far as U.S. troops are concerned? How much combat have they been involved in recently? ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28609 "2018-12-26T23:44:10Z")
> [@tripthicket](#): > > Agreed. How long did it take to fly there, one-way? And the trip back? All that for a 3-hour photo-op, I mean, visit to the deserving troops? When his original plan was to be golfing in Florida about this time? I find it hard to believe he was talked into this by his PR staff, too – it’s _such_ an imposition on his time, and a trip like this, for a man of his years (and health) is not nothing, even in a flying hotel room. It _does_ fit with his ego and level of displayed ‘intelligence’ that he would think he could perpetrate such a scam and not think (and not care, either) it would ever get exposed. Looks like 11 hours 10 minutes to get there (12:06AM-11:16AM ET). Three hours on the ground means departure at 2PM so back in DC early morning Thursday. [https://publicpool.kinja.com/subject-pool-report-1-trump-in-iraq-1831325199](https://publicpool.kinja.com/subject-pool-report-1-trump-in-iraq-1831325199) ---
**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:** [December 27, 2018, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28610 "2018-12-27T00:52:26Z")
Trump posted a video to his Twitter account after leaving Iraq – and in doing so, he gave up the location and identities of SEAL Time Five members who are deployed on a covert special ops mission. > **[Trump's Video Reveals Navy SEAL Deployment](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-navy-seal-iraq-video-1272102?amp=1&__twitter_impression=true)** > > Trump and the White House communications team revealed a U.S. Navy SEAL deployment during the president's visit to U.S. troops in Iraq. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28611 "2018-12-27T00:58:41Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Trump posted a video to his Twitter account after leaving Iraq – and in doing so, he gave up the location and identities of SEAL Time Five members who are deployed on a covert special ops mission. > > [Donald Trump Twitter Account Video Reveals U.S. Navy SEAL Deployment During Iraq Visit - Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-navy-seal-iraq-video-1272102?amp=1&__twitter_impression=true) He really has a knack for always doing exactly the wrong thing. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28612 "2018-12-27T01:35:07Z")
If Barack and Michelle had done this, Fox News and congressional Republicans would have be OUTRAGED about a presidential vacation on the public dime. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28613 "2018-12-27T01:51:48Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Trump posted a video to his Twitter account after leaving Iraq – and in doing so, he gave up the location and identities of SEAL Time Five members who are deployed on a covert special ops mission. > > [Donald Trump Twitter Account Video Reveals U.S. Navy SEAL Deployment During Iraq Visit - Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-navy-seal-iraq-video-1272102?amp=1&__twitter_impression=true) Remember the scene in _Tora! Tora! Tora!_ where LCDR Kramer showed the list of people authorized to see the “Magic” intercepts and later mentioned that he was happy the president was back on the list? When I first saw the movie, I thought that was ridiculous that the president could be removed from such a list. Silly me. Thanks for helping me learn something, Trump. Good grief. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28614 "2018-12-27T03:31:45Z")
[Oh. I thought I heard Air Force One got shot down over Iraq.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrbybKWwb7c) ---
**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:** [December 27, 2018, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28615 "2018-12-27T03:44:36Z")
During his three hour photo op, Trump: Released classified information about Seal Team Five being in Iraq. Lied that he gave the military their first raises in ten years. They get them every year. Lied that the raises were 10%. They were 2.6%. Got service members to sign his MAGA gear. Service members are forbidden by law from engaging in political activities while in uniform. Criticized Democrats for not supporting his wall. Surely at least some of the service members there were Democrats? ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28616 "2018-12-27T03:47:34Z")
Heh. I have no idea how true this story is but it could explain why today was Trump’s first ever visit to a combat zone: **New York Times: Daughters of foot doctor say he diagnosed Trump with bone spurs as ‘favor’ to Fred Trump** [https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/26/politics/trump-bone-spurs-vietnam-war/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/26/politics/trump-bone-spurs-vietnam-war/index.html) > [@](#): > > The daughters of a Queens foot doctor say their late father diagnosed President Donald Trump with bone spurs to help him avoid the Vietnam War draft as a “favor” to his father Fred Trump, according to a new report Wednesday. > > … > > Dr. Braunstein rented his office in Jamaica, Queens, from Fred Trump in the 1960s, the Times reported, citing records. His two daughters told the Times that their father provided the diagnosis of bone spurs as a courtesy to the elder Trump. > > “I know it was a favor,” Elysa Braunstein told the newspaper, who added that the “small favor” got her father “access” to Fred Trump. > > “If there was anything wrong in the building, my dad would call and (Fred) Trump would take care of it immediately,” she told The Times. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2018, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28617 "2018-12-27T04:02:23Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Heh. I have no idea how true this story is but it could explain why today was Trump’s first ever visit to a combat zone: I hope CNN doesn’t overplay this. Even if the story is true… so what? And if it turns out to be false, it’ll be Dan Rather and Bush letter all over again. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2018, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28618 "2018-12-27T04:25:04Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Heh. I have no idea how true this story is but it could explain why today was Trump’s first ever visit to a combat zone: > > **New York Times: Daughters of foot doctor say he diagnosed Trump with bone spurs as ‘favor’ to Fred Trump** > > [https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/26/politics/trump-bone-spurs-vietnam-war/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/26/politics/trump-bone-spurs-vietnam-war/index.html) > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I hope CNN doesn’t overplay this. Even if the story is true… so what? And if it turns out to be false, it’ll be Dan Rather and Bush letter all over again. I’m of mixed feelings about this. I was _just_ young enough to miss the draft in the Vietnam War, and I well remember all the protests and how righteous the draft dodgers were hailed as. So I hate it that Chump has now made draft-dodging that particular war dishonorable, or more dishonorable than it was considered back then, depending on your point of view. But dammit, he’s so hypocritically gung ho on the military _now_, so the fake bone spurs story rightfully has some teeth, so fuck him. One Trump expert who has written a book was telling CNN the bit that swayed him into believing the story was the part that father Fred had asked for it as a favor. Said that was the hallmark of the Chump clan, dealing in favors. Even said he believed Chump himself might actually not have even been in on it, that it was all the father’s doing. Seems our orange president did actually have an exam by this doctor and may have believed him when the doc diagnosed bone spurs. The expert said Chump, in a personal interview with him, took off a shoe and sock, pointed to his heel and said, “See? See there?” Like he really believed there was something there. And he thought the expert saw it, because the expert said he just sort of nodded and said, “Um, uh-huh, well,” but couldn’t actually see anything himself. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2018, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28619 "2018-12-27T04:27:26Z")
Chump going to Iraq. Too little, too late. By this point, it was just checking off a box, that’s all. He was shamed into going, losing the visit loses a lot of merit. Plus he spent only, what? Three hours on the ground? And engaged in blatant politicking among the troops, which has always been a big no-no for any politician. Fuck Chump. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28620 "2018-12-27T04:29:01Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I hope CNN doesn’t overplay this. Even if the story is true… so what? And if it turns out to be false, it’ll be Dan Rather and Bush letter all over again. Well, Trump’s base seems to be very pro-military. If in fact, he is a draft dodger, it just might erode some support, at least among those not shit-faced drunk on his Kool-Aid. On the other hand, Trump’s insulted McCain, a Gold Star family, a Special Ops widow, etc without effect. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2018, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28621 "2018-12-27T04:37:40Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Well, Trump’s base seems to be very pro-military. If in fact, he is a draft dodger, it just might erode some support, at least among those not shit-faced drunk on his Kool-Aid. > > On the other hand, Trump’s insulted McCain, a Gold Star family, a Special Ops widow, etc without effect. McCain was a POW, the Gold Star family is Muslim, the Special Forces widow is black. Not Trump’s type. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2018, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28622 "2018-12-27T04:42:09Z")
If Trump’s base got whittled down to just 500 Americans, he would put all 500 on staff at government expense as his “presentation advisers”, i.e. the people sitting behind him at speeches and cheering. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28623 "2018-12-27T05:18:26Z")
[MAGA](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/united-states-added-list-most-dangerous-countries-journalists-first-time-n949676?fbclid=IwAR1EVmA60WREu0Q57kJ2eGWjQV8yi2337tXXGSeTVMu4LyBcIrLMlCITOhg)! > [@](#): > > **United States added to list of most dangerous countries for journalists for first time** > > At least 63 professional journalists were killed doing their jobs in 2018, a 15 percent increase over last year, Reporters Without Borders said. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/28624 "2018-12-27T05:25:13Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > McCain was a POW, the Gold Star family is Muslim, the Special Forces widow is black. > > Not Trump’s type. Ironically, that Gold Star recipient was just honored by having a post office in Virginia named after him. [https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjer4Pwob\_fAhVpc98KHbk4AuwQzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsweek.com%2Ftrump-names-post-office-after-humayun-khan-fallen-soldier-whose-family-he-1271066&psig=AOvVaw0KvE5xrPDwjS4kNFbncLXn&ust=1545974482231393](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjer4Pwob_fAhVpc98KHbk4AuwQzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsweek.com%2Ftrump-names-post-office-after-humayun-khan-fallen-soldier-whose-family-he-1271066&psig=AOvVaw0KvE5xrPDwjS4kNFbncLXn&ust=1545974482231393) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1430) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1432)