# 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:** 1849
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36965 "2019-09-25T15:36:46Z")
The Maddowblog comments: > **[Newly released memo shows Trump pressing Ukrainian leader on Biden](https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/newly-released-memo-shows-trump-pressing-ukrainian-leader-biden-msna1282956)** > > The newly released memo points to an American president pressing the leader of Ukraine to work with his team on targeting a domestic political rival. > [@](#): > > Indeed, Trump announced yesterday that he’d authorized the release of an “unredacted transcript” of the call, which he said would prove that it was nothing more than “a very friendly and totally appropriate call,” in which he asserted “no pressure” on his foreign counterpart. > > This morning, the Republican added, “Will the Democrats apologize after seeing what was said on the call with the Ukrainian President?” > > I have a very strong hunch that those waiting for an apology will be waiting a very long time. > President Donald Trump, in a midsummer phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, asked him to look into why that country’s top prosecutor apparently had ended an investigation of the business dealings of Joe Biden’s son, who served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. > > The entirety of the document is available online here (pdf), posted to the White House’s website. It is not an actual, literal transcript, but the memo purports to give a rough approximation of what the two leaders discussed during their 30-minute July 25 phone call. > > And after reading it, I haven’t the foggiest idea why Trump or anyone in his orbit would think it’s good for him. > … > … > … > > Far from an exoneration, the newly released memo points to an American president pressing the leader of Ukraine to work with him team on targeting a domestic political rival. > > What’s more, this damaging revelation is only a piece of a larger puzzle – and the emerging picture may yet look worse once if we see the complaint from the intelligence community’s whistleblower. > > The case for Trump’s impeachment just got stronger. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2019, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36966 "2019-09-25T15:37:10Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So what do Ivanka Trump’s nipples showing through her blouse at the United Nations, bra-guns or bras with knives have to do with the clusterfuck that is the Trump administration? I thought we were trying to reduce the level of misogyny on the board. Or have we dropped that and it’s full steam ahead? Misogyny? Men have nipples too, ya know. ---
**Author:** ![Celidin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Celidin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celidin)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36967 "2019-09-25T15:42:25Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > So it’s possible that the transcript release is _not_ a trap – that it is incriminating. But Trump doesn’t realize it, because he thinks everything is OK because he’s the President and he can do whatever he wants. > > He’s just that stupid…it might be true. So, apparently it’s this. I’m amazed. Gob-stopped. Flabbergasted. I think Chairman Schiff has the best summary I’ve seen: > [@https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/1176874772736749569](#): > > The transcript of the call reads like a classic mob shakedown: > > – We do a lot for Ukraine > – There’s not much reciprocity > – I have a favor to ask > – Investigate my opponent > – My people will be in touch > > Nice country you got there. > > It would be a shame if something happened to her. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36968 "2019-09-25T16:16:28Z")
The GOP is defending this man even now. The GOP is well and truly gone. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36969 "2019-09-25T16:28:57Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > …HuffPo even headlined the story (on its main page, anyway): > > **Call Summary Released – Trump brought up Biden again and again!** Fox and Breitbart headlines are “NO QUID QUO PRO!!!” They’re also headlining that Trump pulled a fast one on the Dems by releasing the transcript, which “proves his innocence.” ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36970 "2019-09-25T16:30:01Z")
Now excuse me, I gotta go wash my eyeballs. ---
**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 25, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36971 "2019-09-25T16:33:47Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Fox and Breitbart headlines are “NO QUID QUO PRO!!!” > > They’re also headlining that Trump pulled a fast one on the Dems by releasing the transcript, which “proves his innocence.” And this is being repeated here by the usual suspects. I think they don’t even know what it means - they just saw it on their favorite channel and are repeating it. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36972 "2019-09-25T16:39:14Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Trump did mention Biden in the phone call. By name. And said he wanted him investigated. > > Trump also mentioned he wanted “a favor” from the Ukrainian president immediately after the subject of military aid is raised. > > But I’m sure the Trumpers will attempt to spin this away. Somehow. Whoops! I stand corrected. I hadn’t seen the transcript had been published when I posted this. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36973 "2019-09-25T16:45:35Z")
When I switch my brain into Trump-mode, I can see his twisted reasoning - “I never said do this or else, so I’m cool” - but then I switch my brain back to normal rational human being mode and I have to wonder what made him think releasing this was a good idea. The whole phone call was, what, five or ten minutes, and every other sentence out of the man’s mouth was an order to look into Biden … and all of it with the promised military aid package recently held up on no one’s say so but his own, for no stated reason. I think Trump is playing one-dimensional chess here and he’s just hoping “No Quid Pro Quo” has “No Collusion” legs. Personally, I think he’s fucked. ---
**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 25, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36974 "2019-09-25T16:56:50Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I think Trump is playing one-dimensional chess here and he’s just hoping “No Quid Pro Quo” has “No Collusion” legs. Personally, I think he’s fucked. This is the teeny tiny straw that the usual suspects are currently clinging to. I don’t think it’s going to work with the reality based community. ---
**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 25, 2019, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36975 "2019-09-25T16:59:03Z")
Well that explains all the brainless Quid Pro Quo repetition I’ve seen here on the Dope today. Trump suckers: This is not dependent on a quid pro quo, which does exist. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36976 "2019-09-25T17:28:30Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Better yet, Ursula Andress’ bra in _The Tenth Victim_, the one with a [couple pistols](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDQ_A8Skzdg) in it. So, they finally perfected the recoilless pistol, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36977 "2019-09-25T17:41:43Z")
The White House accidentally [sent their talking points](https://twitter.com/grantstern/status/1176897793144872961) in dealing with this issue to the Democrats. And then asked the Democrats to send the email back. ---
**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 25, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36978 "2019-09-25T17:45:07Z")
Nancy, can we work something out with this? No, you already have it. I mean, I have it, too, but you still do, too. ---
**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 25, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36979 "2019-09-25T17:48:52Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The White House accidentally [sent their talking points](https://twitter.com/grantstern/status/1176897793144872961) in dealing with this issue to the Democrats. And then asked the Democrats to send the email back. Just in case anyone was still wondering if Fox News is actually the Republican Party News: They are simply repeating the White House talking points verbatim, as if they came up with it themselves, without saying that they were fed this information directly. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36980 "2019-09-25T17:51:23Z")
Why the request for the Ukrainians to work with Rudy Giuliani? As far as I know, he has no official role in the government? I think he’s just an attorney working for Trump (as opposed to someone like the White House Counsel, which works for the President). ---
**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:** [September 25, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36981 "2019-09-25T17:51:32Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The White House accidentally [sent their talking points](https://twitter.com/grantstern/status/1176897793144872961) in dealing with this issue to the Democrats. And then asked the Democrats to send the email back. I mean, yeah, I get that turnover is ridiculously high in the West Wing, but, my fucking Og, how utterly incompetent can you get? ---
**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 25, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36982 "2019-09-25T17:59:36Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I mean, yeah, I get that turnover is ridiculously high in the West Wing, but, my fucking Og, how utterly incompetent can you get? With something this blatant, you’ve got to suspect this was done on purpose by someone who is just fed up. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36983 "2019-09-25T18:04:27Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > So, they finally perfected the recoilless pistol, eh? I already brought this up, upthread. Maybe they aren’t guns, but mini-rocket lanchers, like James Bond’s cigarettes in _You Only Live Twice_. Then there’s no recoil to worry about. Only rocket wash ---
**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 25, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/36984 "2019-09-25T18:20:01Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Maybe they aren’t guns, but mini-rocket lanchers, like James Bond’s cigarettes in _You Only Live Twice_. Then there’s no recoil to worry about. > > Only rocket wash Thanks for the hot tip. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1848) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1850)