# 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:** 1654
**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 30, 2019, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33065 "2019-05-30T23:48:46Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Trump sweetheart and all around good guy Kim Jong Un has executed Kim Hyok Chol, North Korean special envoy to the United States, along with four foreign ministry officials who carried out working-level negotiations for the second U.S.-North Korea summit in February, holding them responsible for its collapse. Kim Hyok Chol was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s counterpart in direct negotiations. > [https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1T02PD?\_\_twitter\_impression=true](https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1T02PD?__twitter_impression=true) [Here](https://twitter.com/Scavino45/status/1086837782646005761/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1086837782646005761%7Ctwgr%5E393039363b636f6e74726f6c&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2019-02-22%2Fnorth-korea-s-surprise-new-nuclear-envoy-key-to-trump-kim-talks) he is in the Oval Office (photo on the right, between two flags on the left). ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33066 "2019-05-30T23:52:04Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > And apparently a lot of his brain space is now taken up with The Spectre of Impeachment. He’s no longer just braying TOTAL EXONERATION…he’s feeling the walls closing in. **Which means he’ll be even more off the rails than usual.** I didn’t know that was a thing. I thought he left the rails a good while back. When he was 5 or so, say. > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Trump sweetheart and all around good guy Kim Jong Un has executed Kim Hyok Chol, North Korean special envoy to the United States, along with four foreign ministry officials who carried out working-level negotiations for the second U.S.-North Korea summit in February, holding them responsible for its collapse. Kim Hyok Chol was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s counterpart in direct negotiations. > [https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1T02PD?\_\_twitter\_impression=true](https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1T02PD?__twitter_impression=true) In all seriousness, this is horrid. I wonder if anyone will explain the consequences of his actions to donald. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33067 "2019-05-31T00:07:26Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I didn’t know that was a thing. I thought he left the rails a good while back. When he was 5 or so, say. > > In all seriousness, this is horrid. I wonder if anyone will explain the consequences of his actions to donald. He’ll probably tweet a joke about how that is how to motivate people or something horrid like that. Smapti, you want a try at it? ---
**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:** [May 31, 2019, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33068 "2019-05-31T00:22:57Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > In all seriousness, this is horrid. I wonder if anyone will explain the consequences of his actions to donald. Who knew fucking up foreign policy would have consequences? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33069 "2019-05-31T00:32:48Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Trump sweetheart and all around good guy Kim Jong Un has executed Kim Hyok Chol, North Korean special envoy to the United States, along with four foreign ministry officials who carried out working-level negotiations for the second U.S.-North Korea summit in February, holding them responsible for its collapse. Kim Hyok Chol was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s counterpart in direct negotiations. > [https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1T02PD?\_\_twitter\_impression=true](https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1T02PD?__twitter_impression=true) I think Trump has just figured out a way to motivate his cabinet to Make Trump Great Again. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33070 "2019-05-31T01:33:15Z")
We have a new tariff! Winning another trade war! [Trump hitting Mexico with 5% tariff in response to migrants](https://www.apnews.com/afec271c5f9c4fdb82f57b48cb593add) > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON (AP) — In a surprise announcement that could compromise a major trade deal, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is slapping a 5% tariff on all Mexican imports to pressure the country to do more to crack down on the surge of Central American migrants trying to cross the U.S. border. > > … > > “If the illegal migration crisis is alleviated through effective actions taken by Mexico, to be determined in our sole discretion and judgment, the Tariffs will be removed,” the White House said in a statement. > > But if Trump is not satisfied, the 5% figure will increase to 10% on July 1, to 15% on Aug. 1, to 20% on Sept. 1 and to 25% on Oct. 1, the White House said. > > “Tariffs will permanently remain at the 25 percent level unless and until Mexico substantially stops the illegal inflow of aliens coming through its territory,” the statement read. (Avocado toast is going to get expensive…) ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33071 "2019-05-31T01:39:49Z")
Anybody see the movie “Tin Cup” where at the end, Cup keeps hitting his second shot from the fairway instead of taking a drop? And the announcers are going crazy and keep saying “Somebody tell this guy that he doesn’t have to hit it from there!”? That’s what this reminds me of. “Somebody tell this guy that is not how tariffs work!” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33072 "2019-05-31T01:41:00Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > (Avocado toast is going to get expensive…) There goes the entire Millennial (and Ladies Who Brunch) voting blocks. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33073 "2019-05-31T01:42:55Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > We have a new tariff! Winning another trade war! > > [Trump hitting Mexico with 5% tariff in response to migrants](https://www.apnews.com/afec271c5f9c4fdb82f57b48cb593add) (Trumpster) “Great! With all this tariff money coming in from other countries, we’re gonna be rich! I’m gonna quit my job and live off tariff money!” ---
**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 31, 2019, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33074 "2019-05-31T01:49:39Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Anybody see the movie “Tin Cup” where at the end, Cup keeps hitting his second shot from the fairway instead of taking a drop? And the announcers are going crazy and keep saying “Somebody tell this guy that he doesn’t have to hit it from there!”? > > That’s what this reminds me of. “Somebody tell this guy that is not how tariffs work!” He _knows_ how tariffs work. Exactly the way he thinks they work. And no one can tell him different. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33075 "2019-05-31T01:50:32Z")
US foreign policy now written by the Onion, in 280 characters or less. Well, the onion or H Ross Perot ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33076 "2019-05-31T01:52:18Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > He _knows_ how tariffs work. Exactly the way he thinks they work. And no one can tell him different. Why don’t reporters ask him this question? “Mr. President, do you think China and Mexico are paying these tariffs?” ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33077 "2019-05-31T02:08:40Z")
Not to mention, to whatever degree this economically “punishes” Mexico, that just makes it MORE likely that some Mexicans will seek work in the US. Truly a stable genius. ---
**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 31, 2019, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33078 "2019-05-31T02:21:57Z")
May 30, 2019 Little Eric thinks Mueller was talking in code when he made his statement the other day. [Eric Trump Thinks Mueller Was ‘Talking In Code’ - TPM – Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/eric-trump-mueller-obstruction-code-talking)? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33079 "2019-05-31T02:25:17Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > We have a new tariff! Winning another trade war! > > [Trump hitting Mexico with 5% tariff in response to migrants](https://www.apnews.com/afec271c5f9c4fdb82f57b48cb593add) > > (Avocado toast is going to get expensive…) And tomatoes, lettuce, limes and other citrus, tequila, squash, peppers, watermelons, cantaloupe, Corona, trucks, flat screen televisions, etc. etc. etc. ---
**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:** [May 31, 2019, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33080 "2019-05-31T02:29:24Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > He’ll probably tweet a joke about how that is how to motivate people or something horrid like that. > > Smapti, you want a try at it? “My good friend Kim Jong-Un, who is making North Korea strong and great, has told me he had nothing to do with the execution of Corrupt and Crooked “Hyukster” Chol. H would be in jail if our Justice system was strong as his!” ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33081 "2019-05-31T02:31:20Z")
Am I correct in thinking that tariffs are really regressive, basically a national sales tax? By raising the price of consumer goods, they affect lower income people disproportionately, right? I’m an upper-income guy, and if the price of tomatoes goes up, that sucks but it doesn’t really sting too bad. Maybe I have a little less money to invest or spend on luxury goods, but I’m still having my pasta with marinara. But for someone who’s already squeaking by, it’s a big hit. I’m amazed that no one in the Republican party is objecting to th-- Oh. I see. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33082 "2019-05-31T02:39:34Z")
Yep. We imported $371.9B from [Mexico in 2018](https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/americas/mexico). At 25%, that is almost a $93B sales tax on American consumers - close to $300 per capita. How much was your tax cut this year? ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33083 "2019-05-31T03:21:43Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Why don’t reporters ask him this question? “Mr. President, do you think China and Mexico are paying these tariffs?” Of course Mexico is paying for the tariffs, how else Mexico is going to pay for Trump’s border wall? :smack: ---
**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:** [May 31, 2019, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33084 "2019-05-31T03:58:27Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > May 30, 2019 > > Little Eric thinks Mueller was talking in code when he made his statement the other day. > [Eric Trump Thinks Mueller Was ‘Talking In Code’ - TPM – Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/eric-trump-mueller-obstruction-code-talking)? Was Eric speaking in code when he used the word “albeit” incorrectly? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1653) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1655)