# 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:** 1622
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32425 "2019-05-14T01:13:09Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > So it rather seems this boneheaded trade war is due to Donald’s lack of understanding about who actually pays the tariffs. You just know that knucklehead thinks that if he imposes a 25% tariff on China, that the Chinese government writes a check to the US treasury. He’s being told by fuckface Navarro that he can break China – BWAHAHAHAHAHHA!!! Right, break what will eventually become the world’s largest market economy. That’s gonna happen right around never. Understand, yes, we could make China pay in the short-term - like a few years. China’s economy is over-leveraged in some place. I’m not doubting that. But China will recover. They’re 5 times our fucking size and they’re a market economy, and they’ve been preparing for economic warfare with the entire world for decades. The only way you can beat that is turn the entire developed world against China, and signs are, that’s actually possible – a lot of the world feels like they’re getting screwed and bullied by China. Seems like bilateral trade wars is the absolute worst way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32426 "2019-05-14T01:17:37Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > Speaking of his base, this is rich. > **Owes**? The article includes several other quotes that makes these farmers sound pretty entitled. I thought people who love tRump and Fox “News” hated handouts and regarded any money or services given to the average joe as “entitlements” and therefore to be avoided at all costs, preferably earmarking that money for the noble wealthy and large corporations instead. > > Plus, they actually took him seriously and thought that when he claimed the talks with China were going well, they could count on that and plant more soybeans!? > > [https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/13/politics/farmers-china-tariffs-trump/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/13/politics/farmers-china-tariffs-trump/index.html) Speaking of which, has Trump ever said what he hopes to get out of this whole trade war? I mean, presumably he wants China to alter their trade or economic practices in some way. I can think of a few things, but has Trump ever said what this whole thing is about, what concessions he wants China to make? The cynic in me wonders if Trump has deliberately kept quiet on the subject so that when the trade war ends, he can point to anything in the agreement and claim victory. The even bigger cynic in me says that it wouldn’t matter. He could say that the tariffs are about intellectual property protection, sign an agreement without it, and his supporters would never even notice. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32427 "2019-05-14T01:24:52Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > There’s ample evidence that the bulk of trumpsters will gladly shoot their own foot if it hurts their enemies’ feet worse. A lot of Trump supporters would shoot their own foot because they don’t understand how anatomy works. _“Hey Doc, I’ve been having a lot of trouble walking lately. Can you check me out.” “Okay, take your shoes off…Oh my God! That’s a bullet wound!” “Yeah, I know, I shot that foot last week.” “Why of Earth did you do that?” “Well, when the President of the United States tells you to shoot your foot, you don’t ask questions. But let’s get on with this exam. I need to know why I’m having trouble walking.” “What? You’re having trouble walking because your foot has been shot.” “Explain what my foot has to do with walking. And make it simple so a normal person can understand it. I don’t have one of those fancy college diplomas.”_ Yes, it sounds ridiculous. But that’s pretty much the way Trump supporters seem to think the world works. _“Sure, I don’t know anything about economics/foreign affairs/climate science/law but if some expert is telling me something I don’t want to listen to, I just figure my opinion is just as good as his.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32428 "2019-05-14T02:02:36Z")
There are now [three](https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1128096351886159872) separate inquiries into the oranges of the Russia investigation. ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32429 "2019-05-14T02:23:05Z")
I assume he’s going to huff around some more and talk about how China is cheating us, then when the pressure is really on and he knows he can’t keep going without taking heat for sending the stock market into the toilet, he will quickly sign an agreement and announce that he was super tough and this deal gives the US way more than any president ever wrested from China before or ever will again. His base will probably not actually look at the terms of the agreement. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32430 "2019-05-14T02:28:35Z")
YES!!! NOW THE REAL INVESTIGATION CAN BEGIN!!! > **[Barr assigns US attorney in Connecticut to look into government surveillance...](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/barr-us-attorney-connecticut-surveillance-trump-campaign)** > > Attorney General William Barr has appointed a U.S. attorney to examine the origins of the Russia investigation and determine if intelligence collection efforts targeting the Trump campaign were "lawful and appropriate," a person familiar... > [@](#): > > Attorney General William Barr has appointed a U.S. attorney to examine the origins of the Russia investigation and determine if intelligence collection efforts targeting the Trump campaign were “lawful and appropriate,” a person familiar with the situation told Fox News on Monday evening. Mark my words: a major Democratic politician will be prosecuted for something - because it’s possible. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32431 "2019-05-14T02:37:50Z")
Show trials and kangaroo courts. This is going to be a lovely couple of years to live through… ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32432 "2019-05-14T02:43:56Z")
I think that when Trump gets to his Col. Kurtz “the horror, the horror” moment, he’ll say: _the oranges… the oranges…_ ---
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32433 "2019-05-14T03:06:28Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > YES!!! NOW THE REAL INVESTIGATION CAN BEGIN!!! > > [Barr assigns US attorney in Connecticut to look into government surveillance involving Trump campaign: source | Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/barr-us-attorney-connecticut-surveillance-trump-campaign) > > Mark my words: a major Democratic politician will be prosecuted for something - because it’s possible. The current FBI director said there was nothing wrong with the probe, which is probably why Individual 1 is calling him a traitor. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32434 "2019-05-14T11:55:29Z")
And if I understand correctly, Mueller’s congressional testimony has been put off again. I guess if he waits until he’s no longer DOJ, then Barr can’t hamstring him like a Fuckin Trump toady naturally would. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32435 "2019-05-14T13:05:55Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > I assume he’s going to huff around some more and talk about how China is cheating us, then when the pressure is really on and he knows he can’t keep going without taking heat for sending the stock market into the toilet, he will quickly sign an agreement and announce that he was super tough and this deal gives the US way more than any president ever wrested from China before or ever will again. His base will probably not actually look at the terms of the agreement. Well done; that’s pretty much exactly what Orange Julius Caesar has been Tweeting out like a deranged parrot this morning: > [@](#): > > When the time is right we will make a deal with China. My respect and friendship with President Xi is unlimited but, as I have told him many times before, this must be a great deal for the United States or it just doesn’t make any sense. We have to be allowed to make up some… > [@](#): > > …of the tremendous ground we have lost to China on Trade since the ridiculous one sided formation of the WTO. It will all happen, and much faster than people think! > [@](#): > > Our great Patriot Farmers will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of what is happening now. Hopefully China will do us the honor of continuing to buy our great farm product, the best, but if not your Country will be making up the difference based on a very high China buy… > [@](#): > > …This money will come from the massive Tariffs being paid to the United States for allowing China, and others, to do business with us. The Farmers have been “forgotten” for many years. Their time is now! > [@](#): > > China will be pumping money into their system and probably reducing interest rates, as always, in order to make up for the business they are, and will be, losing. If the Federal Reserve ever did a “match,” it would be game over, we win! In any event, China wants a deal! Yeesh, what a blizzard of bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32436 "2019-05-14T13:23:06Z")
“Patriot farmers”? Yup, got 100 acres of patriot to get in the barn… ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32437 "2019-05-14T13:36:29Z")
Hoo boy, so basically the rest of the country is going to pay higher taxes on goods from China to subsidize tRump’s base (farmers). Just great! We’re going to pay the people who brought us the Cheetolini. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32438 "2019-05-14T13:37:19Z")
Translation: “I know it’s my fault farmers are getting screwed by my ill-considered tariffs, but I’m hoping the farmers will blame China instead.” ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32439 "2019-05-14T13:40:10Z")
It appears the fuckwad still thinks China pays the tariffs. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32440 "2019-05-14T13:41:38Z")
His idiot followers still believe in him. “He was put here on earth in the White House by Jay-sus” ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32441 "2019-05-14T13:46:52Z")
Why would the Fed need to lower interest rates and pump money into the economy if it is the best in years? ---
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32442 "2019-05-14T13:49:46Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Why would the Fed need to lower interest rates and pump money into the economy if it is the best in years? To make it bester. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32443 "2019-05-14T13:51:26Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > Hoo boy, so basically the rest of the country is going to pay higher taxes on goods from China to subsidize tRump’s base (farmers). Just great! We’re going to pay the people who brought us the Cheetolini. That motherfucker really thinks China is paying, to the US, “tariff money”. What an awesomely stupid fucking hero for Republicans! ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/32444 "2019-05-14T14:07:54Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > “Patriot farmers”? Yup, got 100 acres of patriot to get in the barn… Is Trump insane? The vast majority of our tyrants’ blood fertilizer mix is imported from China! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1621) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1623)