# 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:** 1894
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37865 "2019-10-17T06:07:03Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > > > Look at the faces/body language of all those guys around Trump. They all wish that they could be anywhere else. > > Yeah, the military guy on Trump’s right is poignant. CFSG’s facial expression by itself is worth the price of admission, and tells you just about all there is to know about him. Chock-full of bluff&bluster like a banty rooster until someone stands up to him, at which point it’s deer-in-the-headlights time. To me, the whole montage screams second-grade teacher to disobedient student: “Donnie, I’m warning you, if you dunk Priscilla’s braids in the inkwell again you’re going to the principal’s office!” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37866 "2019-10-17T07:32:06Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > To me, the whole montage screams second-grade teacher to disobedient student: “Donnie, I’m warning you, if you dunk Priscilla’s braids in the inkwell again you’re going to the principal’s office!” Nitpick" “Tableau”, not “Montage”. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37867 "2019-10-17T11:54:05Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > You have to admit, the exclamation points do give it a certain amount pizzazz otherwise lacking in official correspondence between world leaders. Good start! You expressed the sentiment perfectly, but you’re going to have dumb down the language a lot before you can wear a MAGA hat. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37868 "2019-10-17T13:03:43Z")
Apparently, there have been an uncanny number of [EXTREMELY lucky trades](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/10/the-mystery-of-the-trump-chaos-trades)made in the stock market just ahead of Trump nonsense. \* "In the last 10 minutes of trading at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Friday, September 13, someone got very lucky. That’s when he or she, or a group of people, sold short 120,000 “S&P e-minis”—electronically traded futures contracts linked to the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index—when the index was trading around 3010. The time was 3:50 p.m. in New York; it was nearing midnight in Tehran. A few hours later, drones attacked a large swath of Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure, choking off production in the country and sending oil prices soaring. By the time the CME next opened, for pretrading on Sunday night, the S&P index had fallen 30 points, giving that very fortunate trader, or traders, a quick $180 million profit. It was not an isolated occurrence. Three days earlier, in the last 10 minutes of trading, someone bought 82,000 S&P e-minis when the index was trading at 2969. That was nearly 4 a.m. on September 11 in Beijing, where a few hours later, the Chinese government announced that it would lift tariffs on a range of American-made products. As has been the typical reaction in the U.S. stock markets as the trade war with China chugs on without any perceptible logic, when the news about a potential resolution of it seems positive, stock markets go up, and when the news about the trade war appears negative, they go down. The news was viewed positively. The S&P index moved swiftly on September 11 to 2996, up nearly 30 points. That same day, President Donald Trump said he would postpone tariffs on some Chinese goods, and the S&P index moved to 3016, or up 47 points since the fortunate person bought the 82,000 e-minis just before the market closed on September 10. Since a one-point movement, up or down, in an e-mini contract is worth $50, a 47-point movement up in a day was worth $2,350 per contract. If you were the lucky one who bought the 82,000 e-mini contracts, well, then you were sitting on a one-day profit of roughly $190 million."\* ---
**Author:** ![Celidin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Celidin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celidin)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37869 "2019-10-17T13:13:24Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > No. People who like white chocolate should be ashamed of themselves. Yeah! White chocolate is No True [del]Scotsman[/del] Chocolate! 😉 ---
**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:** [October 17, 2019, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37870 "2019-10-17T13:40:51Z")
Trump’s tweeting of the photograph came after Pelosi’s statement about his meltdown in the meeting. Think of it as another one of his completely mature and statesmanlike “No puppet! No puppet! YOU’RE the puppet!” statements. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2019, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37871 "2019-10-17T13:58:58Z")
Erdogan threw Trumps “tough guy” letter in the trashcan: > **[Erdogan threw Trump's 'don't be a fool' letter in the trash, sources claim](https://www.foxnews.com/world/erdogan-trump-fool-letter-bin-trash)** > > Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had simple response for Trump’s Oct. 9 letter warning him against taking action along the Syrian border: he threw it “in the bin.”  And yes, that is a link to Fox News. I know they are sliding into the “fake news” category by Donnie, but if Fox is posting this stuff now, it can’t be a good indicator for him. ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37872 "2019-10-17T14:01:35Z")
Yesterday was a busy day, so it’s not too surprising that we hadn’t yet mentioned this here, but … Hey Gang! Looks like [Rudy’s also the subject of a counterintelligence investigation](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/16/politics/giuliani-counterintelligence-probe/index.html), gawrsh! Who’da thunk that, huh? > [@](#): > > For months, investigators looking into Rudy Giuliani’s business dealings in Ukraine have dug into everything from possible financial entanglements with alleged corrupt Ukrainian figures to counterintelligence concerns raised by some of those business ties, according to people briefed on the matter. > > The counterintelligence part of the investigation indicates that FBI and criminal prosecutors in Manhattan are looking at a broader set of issues related to Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, than has been previously reported. > Kenneth McCallion, a New York attorney, says that investigators first approached him earlier this year to ask about Giuliani’s ties to Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two Giuliani associates indicted last week on campaign-finance related charges. > > McCallion says FBI counterintelligence agents in February or March asked questions about some of Giuliani’s Ukrainian business dealings. > > The counterintelligence probe hinges in part on whether a foreign influence operation was trying to take advantage of Giuliani’s business ties in Ukraine and with wealthy foreigners to make inroads with the White House, according to one person briefed on the matter. > > “I was just asked whether I or any of my clients knew of any dealings that these two guys had with Giuliani,” McCallion said. “They were on the radar with regard to possible counterintelligence issues.” > … > McCallion, who first spoke to USA Today, has represented Ukrainian clients, including the former Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37873 "2019-10-17T14:06:43Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Erdogan threw Trumps “tough guy” letter in the trashcan: > > [Erdogan threw Trump's 'don't be a fool' letter in the trash, sources claim | Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/world/erdogan-trump-fool-letter-bin-trash) > > And yes, that is a link to Fox News. I know they are sliding into the “fake news” category by Donnie, but if Fox is posting this stuff now, it can’t be a good indicator for him. Boy, I wish inline images were a thing: [Is This Thing On? | The Nib](https://thenib.com/is-this-thing-on)? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37874 "2019-10-17T14:18:48Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > The alleged “Leader of the Free World” sent [the following letter](https://twitter.com/trish_regan/status/1184559361638748161) to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan: > > > [@The Dotard-in-Chief](#): > > > > Dear Mr. President: > > > > Let’s work out a good deal! You don’t want to be responsible for slaughtering thousands of people, and I don’t want to be responsible for destroying the Turkish economy – and I will. I’ve already given you a little sample with respect to Pastor Brunson. > > > > I have worked hard to resolve some of your problems. Don’t let the world down. You can make a great deal. General Mazloum is willing to negotiate with you, and he is willing to make concessions that they never would have made in the past. I am confidentially enclosing his letter to me, just received. > > > > History will look upon you favorably if you get this the right and humane way. It will look upon you forever as the devil if good things don’t happen. Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a fool! > > > > I will call you later. > > FSM help us all… :eek: :eek: :smack: On NPR this morning, they interviewed a Turkish ambassador and asked specifically about this letter. She said they “didn’t take it seriously”. Really, there’s nothing more to say. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37875 "2019-10-17T14:42:02Z")
Like Dumbass, like [Dumbass Junior](https://twitter.com/anniemal/status/1184658773664829440): > [@](#): > > At 1:24 Don Jr slips and says “I’m still hearing about that FROM Russia” ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37876 "2019-10-17T14:46:19Z")
> **[Turkey holding 50 US nuclear bombs 'hostage' at air base, report says](https://www.foxnews.com/world/turkey-nuclear-bombs-hostage-syria)** > > Ankara is holding up to 50 U.S. nuclear weapons that have long been stored at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, and U.S. officials are now reviewing plans to evacuate the bombs in the wake of the Turkish military offensive in northern Syria, according to... > [@](#): > > Officials are reviewing plans to evacuate up to 50 U.S. nuclear bombs that have long been stored at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey in the wake of Ankara’s military offensive in northern Syria, according to a report. > > The weapons are now essentially being held “hostage” by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a senior official told The New York Times on Monday. What a UUGE WIN for Trumpelstiltskin: bumped the Broken Arrow tally from 32 to 82, and only had to start a slaughter to get the job done! WIN TRUMP WIN! ---
**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:** [October 17, 2019, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37877 "2019-10-17T14:54:22Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > [Turkey holding 50 US nuclear bombs 'hostage' at air base, report says | Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/world/turkey-nuclear-bombs-hostage-syria) > What a UUGE WIN for Trumpelstiltskin: bumped the Broken Arrow tally from 32 to 82, and only had to start a slaughter to get the job done! WIN TRUMP WIN! The real winner here is Putin. He’s not appreciated having our nukes on his border for a while now. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37878 "2019-10-17T15:19:42Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > The real winner here is Putin. He’s not appreciated having our nukes on his border for a while now. IIRC, they led to the USSR positioning nuclear missiles in Cuba and thus triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis. Every Leader since Khrushchev has wanted them removed. It took Trump to accomplish that goal. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37879 "2019-10-17T15:21:42Z")
If Trump was president during the Cuban Missile crisis, he would have handed Florida over to Russia and declared victory. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2019, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37880 "2019-10-17T15:30:27Z")
I wonder if we could get approval to build a Trump statue in Moscow? ---
**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:** [October 17, 2019, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37881 "2019-10-17T15:41:25Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > If Trump was president during the Cuban Missile crisis, he would have handed Florida over to Russia and declared victory. Continuing support for Florida may antagonize Russia, and what has Florida done for us? ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37882 "2019-10-17T15:41:42Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I wonder if we could get approval to build a Trump statue in Moscow? Russia may do that by themselves. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2019, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37883 "2019-10-17T15:44:53Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > Russia may do that by themselves. Why wouldn’t they? After all, they’d be grateful about getting Alaska back. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37884 "2019-10-17T17:28:52Z")
Trump is too nekulturny for Russia to build a statue of him. Perhaps they might name a tochka after him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1893) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1895)