# 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:** 1663
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33245 "2019-06-03T18:13:55Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > “Woody Johnson”? I knew someone with this name back in high school. We asked him once if he was friends with Harry Palm. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33246 "2019-06-03T18:29:09Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The Guardian, though, is [mostly not satire](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/02/us-wants-access-to-nhs-in-post-brexit-deal-ambassador-to-uk-says) > > _The US will want business access to the NHS in any post-Brexit trade deal, the US ambassador has said … Asked if the NHS was likely to form part of trade negotiations, (Woody) Johnson told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “I think the entire economy, in a trade deal, all things that are traded would be on the table.” Asked if that specifically meant healthcare, he said: “I would think so.”_ > > “Woody Johnson”? … … … OK, so… The US want the UK to become the 51st through 54th states and bring the NHS with them? It certainly is a pretty radical way to implant Medicare for All, but I doubt the nice lady with the hats collection would be up for it. Or do they want to buy some historical hospitals (such as, oh, dunnow, Bedlam) and move them over piece by piece? I’m confused. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33247 "2019-06-03T18:32:57Z")
Whenever I see Trump on TV, I think of [this scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu5H0YpAn_E). ---
**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:** [June 3, 2019, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33248 "2019-06-03T18:59:52Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Sadly, The Suffolk Gazette is a satirical site. > > The Queen possibly did a spot of light trolling by giving Donny a book as her official gift - a first edition of the abridged version of Churchill’s History of the Second World War. I’m almost afraid to ask. Did Donnie give the Queen a present? Wait–let me guess: a framed, autographed picture of himself, amirite? Seriously, did he give her a prezzie? ---
**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:** [June 3, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33249 "2019-06-03T19:00:28Z")
Well meaning folk in London have [dressed up Madame Tussaud](https://ijr.com/activists-protest-trump-uk-visit-uss-john-mccain-hat/) with a three story projection of a red hat such as would be worn by a sailor on the USS John McCain. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33250 "2019-06-03T19:26:34Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’m almost afraid to ask. Did Donnie give the Queen a present? Wait–let me guess: a framed, autographed picture of himself, amirite? > > Seriously, did he give her a prezzie? I’ve not seen anything about what Donny gave to Her Maj, if anything. I’m not sure what the gift-giving protocols are for a State Visit. Melania got a specially-commissioned handmade silver and enamel box - probably quite a nice thing to be honest. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2019, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33251 "2019-06-03T19:27:20Z")
I think this is for real, but honestly who the hell knows anymore? It seems the Buckingham Palace band a played Emperor Palpatine’s theme when Trump appeared. > ---
**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:** [June 3, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33252 "2019-06-03T19:32:33Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I’ve not seen anything about what Donny gave to Her Maj, if anything. I’m not sure what the gift-giving protocols are for a State Visit. Maybe he gave her a case of MAGA hats. > [@](#): > > Melania got a specially-commissioned handmade silver and enamel box - probably quite a nice thing to be honest. I’ll bet it’s lovely. The Queen does have good taste. Do the Trumps know they’re not supposed to keep that stuff for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33253 "2019-06-03T19:36:27Z")
In an interesting development to the “Trump goes to a Baptist church” story, the preacher _apologized_, offering no fewer than four reasons why he let Trump up there: 1. Not enough time! 2. God told me so! 3. My hands were tied! 4. To all of you pissed off, I’m sorry! Really! [https://www.mcleanbible.org/prayer-president](https://www.mcleanbible.org/prayer-president) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33254 "2019-06-03T19:50:17Z")
If it’s true. Phillip the Greek may have, at long last, managed to get out of all future royal receptions. And dear God, Universe, and FSM, I pray it’s true. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33255 "2019-06-03T19:50:18Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Maybe he gave her a case of MAGA hats. > > I’ll bet it’s lovely. The Queen does have good taste. **Do the Trumps know they’re not supposed to keep that stuff for themselves.** My bold: that’s what I was wondering. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33256 "2019-06-03T19:51:08Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’ll bet it’s lovely. The Queen does have good taste. Do the Trumps know they’re not supposed to keep that stuff for themselves. Not only are they keeping it, they are not going to declare it on their taxes. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33257 "2019-06-03T20:05:24Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > I think this is for real, but honestly who the hell knows anymore? It seems the Buckingham Palace band a > played Emperor Palpatine’s theme when Trump appeared. > > [https://twitter.com/TrueFactsStated/status/1135628156818415617?s=19](https://twitter.com/TrueFactsStated/status/1135628156818415617?s=19) Alas, it’s fake. Hat tip to **Folacin**. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21678526&postcount=6347](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21678526&postcount=6347) ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33258 "2019-06-03T20:22:40Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > In an interesting development to the “Trump goes to a Baptist church” story, the preacher _apologized_, offering no fewer than four reasons why he let Trump up there: > > 1. Not enough time! > 2. God told me so! > 3. My hands were tied! > 4. To all of you pissed off, I’m sorry! Really! > > [https://www.mcleanbible.org/prayer-president](https://www.mcleanbible.org/prayer-president) Not my faith tradition (I’m lapsed Catholic), but I thought that was a fairly decent explanation. Plus, it would take a preacher of strong conviction to tell the President that he can’t come in to his church. Even if he were strongly opposed to everything Trump stands for, the belief that prayer can change people is strong - so the opportunity to pray for Trump would be hard to pass up. And of course, a big screw you to Trump for just dropping in on someone’s worship service - that’s not rude at all. I would guess that there was an AME church nearby that was holding services also - wish he’d gone there to get his blessing. I think the tone might have been different. ETA: I don’t think that was a Baptist church. No indication of affiliation on the web site that I see. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33259 "2019-06-03T20:22:40Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > In an interesting development to the “Trump goes to a Baptist church” story, the preacher _apologized_, offering no fewer than four reasons why he let Trump up there: > > 1. Not enough time! > 2. God told me so! > 3. My hands were tied! > 4. To all of you pissed off, I’m sorry! Really! > > [https://www.mcleanbible.org/prayer-president](https://www.mcleanbible.org/prayer-president) TL;DR. The preacher has no balls. Okay, I did read it. This made me gag: “In the end, would you pray with me for gospel seed that was sown today to bear fruit in the president’s heart?” Oh. Please. Even Jesus wasn’t that naive. Odd that he refers to being called aside as being “called backstage.” Later he says “walked back out onstage” and “walked offstage.” Is that what the Baptists call it? I’ve heard altar, sanctuary, bima, but never “stage.” 😕 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33260 "2019-06-03T20:27:30Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Not my faith tradition (I’m lapsed Catholic), but I thought that was a fairly decent explanation. > > Plus, it would take a preacher of strong conviction to tell the President that he can’t come in to his church. Even if he were strongly opposed to everything Trump stands for, the belief that prayer can change people is strong - so the opportunity to pray for Trump would be hard to pass up. > > And of course, a big screw you to Trump for just dropping in on someone’s worship service - that’s not rude at all. I would guess that there was an AME church nearby that was holding services also - wish he’d gone there to get his blessing. I think the tone might have been different. > > ETA: I don’t think that was a Baptist church. No indication of affiliation on the web site that I see. Actually, I think you’re right - it’s non-denominational (other than “Christian”, of couirse.) ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33261 "2019-06-03T20:31:01Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > If it’s true. Phillip the Greek may have, at long last, managed to get out of all future royal receptions. And dear God, Universe, and FSM, I pray it’s true. You mean we don’t get to see the match between Orange Julius Caesar and Prince “Slitty-Eyed” as to which one is the most decorum-challenged? Oh The Humanity! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33262 "2019-06-03T20:35:31Z")
In another bit of foreign policy stable geniusosity (that should be a word if it isn’t), [Trump folds on ‘maximum pressure’ against Iran, offers to meet with no preconditions](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/06/trump-pompeo-iran-negotiations-pressure.html). Possibly someone pointed out to him that Bolton was trying to get him into a war. For all his faults, I don’t think Trump is personally a war-monger. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33263 "2019-06-03T20:44:11Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > “Published 3 hours ago, update 1 hour ago” > > When Elaine Chao (Mitch McConnell’s wife) was nominated to be Secretary of Transportation, she pledged to divest herself of her shares in Vulcan Materials, a construction company with contracts with the Department of Transportation. She hasn’t. > [https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/28/transportation-secy-chao-reportedly-retained-construction-co-stake-she-pledged-to-divest.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/28/transportation-secy-chao-reportedly-retained-construction-co-stake-she-pledged-to-divest.html) Maybe it’s not the best idea that a cabinet secretary, who can only be removed by a vote in the senate, be married to the guy running the senate. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33264 "2019-06-03T20:51:02Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Maybe it’s not the best idea that a cabinet secretary, who can only be removed by a vote in the senate, be married to the guy running the senate. “Why? There’s no conflict of interest there; hell, if anything, there’s a confluence of interest! And who doesn’t like bringing things together! McConnell and Chao are uniters, not dividers! Why are you always trying to tear apart this country? Why are you trying to tear apart American families? I think you owe them, and every American family, an apology! They are the real victims here!” 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1662) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1664)