# 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:** 1699
**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 28, 2019, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33965 "2019-06-28T02:32:31Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Author Mary Doria Russel’s FB page. My wife’s a big fan. > > We get all our political news there. 🙂 I LOVE her! Children of God, A Thread of Grace…fabulous books! ---
**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:** [June 28, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33966 "2019-06-28T03:57:16Z")
Again from the not-really-too-surprising dept.: [Agriculture Department buries studies showing dangers of climate change](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/23/agriculture-department-climate-change-1376413) > [@](#): > > The Trump administration has refused to publicize dozens of government-funded studies that carry warnings about the effects of climate change, defying a longstanding practice of touting such findings by the Agriculture Department’s acclaimed in-house scientists. > [@](#): > > Agriculture Secretary [Sonny “it rained yesterday, it’s a nice pretty day today” Perdue], who has expressed skepticism about climate science in the past and allegedly retaliated against in-house economists whose findings contradicted administration policies, declined to comment.\*\* A spokesperson for USDA said there have been no directives within the department that discouraged the dissemination of climate-related science\*\* Of course the bolded part ends up getting qualified with the backpedal: > [@](#): > > “…not every single finding or piece of work solicits a government press release.” Right, so going from _that_ to _dozens_ of findings that will never be released. Smooth segue. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2019, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33967 "2019-06-28T04:00:25Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Anyway, I voted all the right answers. …the poll isn’t the point. Its the email harvesting thats going on at the end of the poll thats important. Trump and his campaign are working with whatever it is [Cambridge Analytica](https://apnews.com/96928216bdc341ada659447973a688e4) turned into. They are [micro-targeting](https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/26/facebook-finally-hands-over-leave-campaign-brexit-ads/) certain demographics of people: and this is exactly the sort of “poll” that would attract the people they are seeking to influence. If you did enter your real email address, it would be interesting to see if you start getting different adverts in Facebook, more direct-targeted spam emails, to see what it is they are up too. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2019, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33968 "2019-06-28T06:06:30Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …the poll isn’t the point. > > Its the email harvesting thats going on at the end of the poll thats important. > > Trump and his campaign are working with whatever it is [Cambridge Analytica](https://apnews.com/96928216bdc341ada659447973a688e4) turned into. They are [micro-targeting](https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/26/facebook-finally-hands-over-leave-campaign-brexit-ads/) certain demographics of people: and this is exactly the sort of “poll” that would attract the people they are seeking to influence. > > If you did enter your real email address, it would be interesting to see if you start getting different adverts in Facebook, more direct-targeted spam emails, to see what it is they are up too. My real email isn’t “[eatme@yahoo.com](mailto:eatme@yahoo.com)”. If you’re correct, I feel sorry for whoever has that. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2019, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33969 "2019-06-28T08:49:21Z")
> [@just asking questions](#): > > my real email isn’t “[eatme@yahoo.com](mailto:eatme@yahoo.com)”. If you’re correct, i feel sorry for whoever has that. :D:D:D ---
**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:** [June 28, 2019, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33970 "2019-06-28T13:02:07Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …the poll isn’t the point. > > Its the email harvesting thats going on at the end of the poll thats important. > > Trump and his campaign are working with whatever it is [Cambridge Analytica](https://apnews.com/96928216bdc341ada659447973a688e4) turned into. They are [micro-targeting](https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/26/facebook-finally-hands-over-leave-campaign-brexit-ads/) certain demographics of people: and this is exactly the sort of “poll” that would attract the people they are seeking to influence. > > If you did enter your real email address, it would be interesting to see if you start getting different adverts in Facebook, more direct-targeted spam emails, to see what it is they are up too. Of course you’re going to get targeted ads and spam. This has been going on for at least 20 years. It’s a pretty basic strategy. ---
**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 28, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33971 "2019-06-28T13:24:46Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > My real email isn’t “[eatme@yahoo.com](mailto:eatme@yahoo.com)”. If you’re correct, I feel sorry for whoever has that. Yeah, apologies to Heywoodj, who still uses AOL. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2019, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33972 "2019-06-28T13:56:36Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Here.](https://www.donaldjtrump.com/landing/2020-trump-vs-dem-poll?utm_medium=sms&utm_source=ta&utm_campaign=20190626__pre-dem-debate-poll_djt_djt&utm_content=gop_surveys) > > At the bottom of the page is “Paid for by Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.” which is also on what looks like an [official campaign site.](https://www.donaldjtrump.com/) > Which includes an online shop. > From ICANN Whois > > The Trump Organization is the registrant I thought JAQ was falling for FAKE NEWS, but…but…but…I’m speechless. :smack: ---
**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 28, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33973 "2019-06-28T21:05:52Z")
[Trump is a time traveller!](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-presentation-medal-freedom-dr-arthur-laffer/) > [@Trump](#): > > I’ve heard and studied the Laffer Curve for many years in the Wharton School of Finance. Laffer described the ‘Laffer Curve’ in 1974, at a dinner with Jude Wanniski, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld. Trump graduated from the Wharton School in 1968. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33974 "2019-06-28T21:49:45Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Of course you’re going to get targeted ads and spam. This has been going on for at least 20 years. It’s a pretty basic strategy. …they aren’t using “basic strategy.” They’ve taken the basic stategy and super-charged it. Its also a fucking [grift](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/05/21/us/politics/trump-2020-facebook-ads.html). ---
**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 28, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33975 "2019-06-28T21:53:10Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > … > Trump graduated from the Wharton School in 1968. With an undergraduate degree. Just to clarify: > [@](#): > > PHILADELPHIA (AP) — You don’t hear Ted Cruz talk much about his Princeton degree. Hillary Clinton doesn’t often mention Yale. But Donald Trump can’t stop trumpeting his Ivy League pedigree. > > “I went to the Wharton School of Finance, the toughest place to get into. I was a great student,” he has said. He’s called Wharton “super genius stuff.” Accused of making a vulgar comment, he responded: “Who would say that? I went to the Wharton School of Finance!” > > But Trump’s relationship with his alma mater is complicated. > … > > Yet in “The Art of the Deal,” Trump said fancy diplomas don’t matter: “Perhaps the most important thing I learned at Wharton was not to be overly impressed by academic credentials … That degree doesn’t prove very much.” > > And if you assumed his degree was an MBA, you’d be wrong. Trump holds a bachelor of science degree in economics from Wharton, earned after transferring in as a junior from Fordham University. Several early Trump profiles, including a 1973 New York Times piece, stated that he graduated first in his class at Wharton, but that has since been disputed. A 1968 commencement program does not list his name among students who graduated with honors. > … > > [Associated Press 2016](https://www.apnews.com/76a383d1b6e443a99831bf85a6d6cf3e) ---
**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:** [June 29, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33976 "2019-06-29T00:02:26Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I don’t know if this should be under this thread, or How trump has pissed you off, or stupid republican idea, or "old story I missed, or even “hoaxes I fell for”, but this is purportedly the official poll on trump’s webpage to see how you would rather vote for: > > … > 4. Who do you believe is more transparent with the American People? > President Trump > A Lying Democrat > > 1. Who do you believe will keep their promises? > President Trump > A Lyin’ Democrat … The staffer tasked with writing this click-bait/email-address-collector was clearly told “don’t repeat any responses.” Job done! ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33977 "2019-06-29T00:36:06Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [Tillerson says Kushner conducted foreign policy without him](https://apnews.com/7fa3d3e354014e0a864601fc8f6f24ff). I’ll just note that this is, arguably, an impeachable offence. The role of Secretary of State is a position that must be approved by the Senate. If you order your son in law to do the job and ignore the guy the Senate approved, you’re going around the Constitution. It’s like Maduro setting up a second Congress, because he didn’t like the way that the real Congress was voting. ---
**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 29, 2019, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33978 "2019-06-29T00:57:17Z")
Okay. Remind me again what happens when someone does this? The same thing that happens to people who violate the Hatch Act, I bet. ---
**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:** [June 29, 2019, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33979 "2019-06-29T00:59:07Z")
> [@](#): > > Who do you believe will keep their promises? > President Trump > A Lyin’ Democrat … I was hoping for a wider range of choices. My picks, from most believed to least believed: A regular Democrat A Lying Democrat A Lyin’ Democrat A regular Republican Richard Nixon’s ghost President Trump ---
**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:** [June 29, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33980 "2019-06-29T01:08:02Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I’ll just note that this is, arguably, an impeachable offence. > > The role of Secretary of State is a position that must be approved by the Senate. If you order your son in law to do the job and ignore the guy the Senate approved, you’re going around the Constitution. > > It’s like Maduro setting up a second Congress, because he didn’t like the way that the real Congress was voting. I don’t think there’s much of an argument for impeachment here. Presidents have often used people outside of the State Department to act as emissaries with foreign governments. The Constitution doesn’t prohibit this. In fact, it barely mentions cabinet officials and to the degree it does, it says the President can ignore them if he wishes. ---
**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 29, 2019, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33981 "2019-06-29T01:13:32Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I was hoping for a wider range of choices. My picks, from most believed to least believed: > > A regular Democrat > A Lying Democrat > A Lyin’ Democrat > A regular Republican > Richard Nixon’s ghost > President Trump Marley’s Ghost Casper the Friendly Ghost Bob Marley Richard Nixon’s Left Ear Spiro Agnew’s Right Ear An Intergalactic Alien An alien who thinks he’s Bob Marley (In no particular order) ---
**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 29, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33982 "2019-06-29T01:18:42Z")
People should choose the not-Trump options in the poll… and use the emails of Republican senators and representatives. Let _them_ get on the spam list! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33983 "2019-06-29T03:26:21Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > People should choose the not-Trump options in the poll… and use the emails of Republican senators and representatives. Let _them_ get on the spam list! I like this a lot. ---
**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:** [June 29, 2019, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33984 "2019-06-29T03:50:11Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I don’t think there’s much of an argument for impeachment here. > > Presidents have often used people outside of the State Department to act as emissaries with foreign governments. The Constitution doesn’t prohibit this. In fact, it barely mentions cabinet officials and to the degree it does, it says the President can ignore them if he wishes. Concurred. I understand if Kushner was trying to manipulate U.S. foreign policy _on his own_, that’d be a violation of the Logan Act. As an informal agent of Trump, though, I don’t think his actions are illegal. A self-respecting Secretary of State, though, would certainly be annoyed if kept out of the loop on something like this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1698) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1700)