# 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:** 1821
**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:** [September 10, 2019, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36405 "2019-09-10T17:22:42Z")
My God. Trump did something sensible. :eek: ---
**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:** [September 10, 2019, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36406 "2019-09-10T17:43:56Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > … acting like a racist asshole – [of course he chose Door #2](https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/09/politics/donald-trump-bahamas-hurricane-dorian-response/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+CNN+-+Top+Stories%29). What do you mean “acting”? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36407 "2019-09-10T18:30:48Z")
> [@](#): > > …Trump said, "We have to be very careful. Everybody needs totally proper documentation. Because, look. the Bahamas has some tremendous problems with people going to the Bahamas that weren’t supposed to be there.” > > “I don’t want to allow people that weren’t supposed to be in the Bahamas to come into the United States, including some very bad people and some very bad gang members and some very very bad drug dealers,” Trump said. > > “We are going to be very very strong in that.”… I don’t even…what the?..huh? Is that where the gangs of Puerto Pobre went? And all those drug dealers? And is “very” the only adverb he knows? Is “very very” twice as much “very” as “very”, or is it the square of “very”? Guess it varies… ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36408 "2019-09-10T19:13:46Z")
To be fair, he did use “totally” once instead. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36409 "2019-09-10T19:30:02Z")
For the next NSA, let’s do a Venn diagram: People with national security bona fides Acceptable to Mitch McConnell Not a neo-con warmonger Willing to work for Trump Hmmm…I don’t think these circles overlap. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36410 "2019-09-10T19:52:46Z")
So apparently Bolton is texting reporters to tell them that he resigned, he wasn’t fired. Robert Costa of the Washington Post just tweeted that he got one. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36411 "2019-09-10T20:19:14Z")
I know that there is a Bolton thread, but I think this pertains to the entire Administration. [Whatever you think of John Bolton, his departure is a bad sign](https://www.yahoo.com/news/whatever-think-john-bolton-departure-174801426.html) > [@](#): > > Bolton’s dismissal managed to get handled with all of the strife and incompetence [one] expects from this White House… > > On everything from North Korea to Iran and the Taliban, Bolton’s view was that no one involved with those regimes is trustworthy enough to do good-faith deals. And while that may have presented differences in outlooks between Bolton and Trump personally, it was necessary to have someone in the role to be a check on Trump’s naivete, especially when the president behaves as if every negotiation is as simple as a real estate transaction… > > [Trump] demands unadulterated praise for his decisions, and that includes those within his administration. Any dissent gets viewed under the lens of a personal betrayal that will not go unpunished. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2019, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36412 "2019-09-10T20:25:34Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I don’t even…what the?..huh? Is that where the gangs of Puerto Pobre went? And all those drug dealers? Someone reminded him that most Bahamians are black, and that he doesn’t have a golf course there. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36413 "2019-09-10T22:20:58Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I know that there is a Bolton thread, but I think this pertains to the entire Administration. > > [Whatever you think of John Bolton, his departure is a bad sign](https://www.yahoo.com/news/whatever-think-john-bolton-departure-174801426.html) One thing that the media hasn’t but should comment on, related to this statement: “On everything from North Korea to Iran and the Taliban, Bolton’s view was that no one involved with those regimes is trustworthy enough to do good-faith deals.” How much do you think that the other countries of the world - for example, China - trust that Trump can be trusted to enter into good-faith deals? When China looks at the Trade War and the negotiations related to it, is it likely that they’re feeling like they can trust that what Trump agrees to on our end will be followed? If no, then how does a deal get done? You can say that you’re a dealmaker all you want, but if no one ever expects you to live up to your promises, they’re never going to make any meaningful deal with you. Or, if they do, we can probably expect it to be meaningless since both sides are expecting the other side to cheat and ignore all their promises anyways. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2019, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36414 "2019-09-10T22:23:21Z")
Bolton’s gone? I wonder if he manned up and told Tan the Conman that giving a blowjob to the leader of North Korea and then announcing to the world that he’s in love with that leader isn’t a good choice. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36415 "2019-09-10T23:25:09Z")
My money is on Trump giving Michael Flynn a pardon, then nominating him for National Security Adviser. Again. Just to own the libs. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2019, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36416 "2019-09-10T23:44:40Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > My money is on Trump giving Michael Flynn a pardon, then nominating him for National Security Adviser. Again. Just to own the libs. Acting National Security Adviser. Not that he needs confirmation, but I think even MoscowMitch might choke on having Flynn in as the \*actual \*National Security Adviser. Anyway, Trump likes acting Cabinet and Agency heads. It keeps them from trying to pressure Pence into invoking the 25[SUP]th[/SUP] amendment, because there ain’t enough of 'em. (Not that I think they would: sycophants, every last one of them.) ---
**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:** [September 10, 2019, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36417 "2019-09-10T23:44:51Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > My money is on Trump giving Michael Flynn a pardon, then nominating him for National Security Adviser. Again. Just to own the libs. Appointing him as acting NSA. Trump won’t bother asking anyone to approve a nomination. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2019, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36418 "2019-09-10T23:54:04Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Appointing him as acting NSA. Trump won’t bother asking anyone to approve a nomination. The National Security Adviser isn’t subject to a nomination/confirmation process. More’s the pity. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2019, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36419 "2019-09-11T01:32:15Z")
Individual 1: > [@](#): > > ABC/Washington Post Poll was the worst and most inaccurate poll of any taken prior to the 2016 Election. When my lawyers protested, they took a 12 point down and brought it to almost even by Election Day. It was a Fake Poll by two very bad and dangerous media outlets. Sad! > CNN reporter Daniel Dale: > [@](#): > > This is not what happened. > > - WaPo and ABC told me in June they do not recall a legal complaint (?) over their polls > - WaPo wasn’t involved in the ABC tracking poll that had him down 12 > - Obviously no basis for the claim they fixed subsequent poll results because he complained > ---
**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:** [September 11, 2019, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36420 "2019-09-11T03:12:59Z")
Individual 1 invited one of the “heroes” of the El Paso Walmart shooting to the White House. But the Secret Service intervened and arrested him on an outstanding warrant before he had a chance to meet with the Cheeto. [El Paso Shooting ‘Hero’ Arrested by Secret Service Before Meeting Trump: Report](https://www.thedailybeast.com/el-paso-shooting-hero-arrested-by-secret-service-before-meeting-trump-report)? ---
**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:** [September 11, 2019, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36421 "2019-09-11T03:58:34Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I don’t even…what the?..huh? Is that where the gangs of Puerto Pobre went? And all those drug dealers? And is “very” the only adverb he knows? Is “very very” twice as much “very” as “very”, or is it the square of “very”? Guess it varies… A thousand slaps with a wet noodle for you! You know what you did. Also, [this is a handy poster](https://infographicnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/educational-infographic-147wordstouseinsteadofvery-696x3675.jpg) that might be worth hanging on the bathroom wall in the White House. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2019, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36422 "2019-09-11T04:00:53Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Individual 1 invited one of the “heroes” of the El Paso Walmart shooting to the White House. But the Secret Service intervened and arrested him on an outstanding warrant before he had a chance to meet with the Cheeto. > [El Paso Shooting ‘Hero’ Arrested by Secret Service Before Meeting Trump: Report](https://www.thedailybeast.com/el-paso-shooting-hero-arrested-by-secret-service-before-meeting-trump-report)? According to that link, the dude lied about what he did, so of couse he’s not a hero. (Yes, I see you put in the quotation marks around the word.) Why am I not surprised that the current occupant of the White House admires someone who lies about himself and his heroics? ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36423 "2019-09-11T16:26:27Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > You are correct, the long dead female KKK were not there, the young fresh male KKK were. > > Dead KKK are bad? Living KKK are good? Are you sure that’s the position and argument that you want to take? I thought I had said my piece about this, but can’t resist following up on this one: You betcha! :rolleyes::smack: Maybe it’s just me, **Sage Rat** , but ya might want to think of just going with the “Rat” part of your username! ---
**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:** [September 11, 2019, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36424 "2019-09-11T18:23:29Z")
" …Trump told his staff that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration needed to correct a tweet that seemed to contradict his statement that Hurricane Dorian posed a significant threat to Alabama as of Sept. 1, in contrast to what the agency’s forecasters were predicting at the time, senior administration officials said. This led chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to call Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to tell him to fix the issue, the officials said." And here’s a quote from the lyin’ist motherfucker ever to lie" "Trump [told reporters](https://twitter.com/jeffmason1/status/1171827964364886016) Wednesday afternoon that he did not direct NOAA to issue such a statement. “No, I never did that,” he said. “I never did that. It’s a hoax by the media. That’s just fake news. Right from the beginning, it was a fake story.” He didn’t direct NOAA, he directed his staff. Fuck off. > **[Trump pushed staff to deal with NOAA tweet that contradicted his inaccurate...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/09/11/lawmakers-commerce-department-launch-investigations-into-noaas-decision-back-presidents-trump-over-forecasters/)** > > Lawmakers and the Commerce Department have launched investigations into NOAA’s decision to back Trump over forecasters. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1820) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1822)