# 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:** 1954
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39065 "2019-11-26T00:10:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) was being interviewed by Chris Wallace on Fox News. > > Wallace: _“Senator Kennedy, who do you believe was responsible for hacking the DNC and Clinton campaign computers - their emails? Was it Russia or Ukraine?”_ > > Kennedy: _“I don’t know. Nor do you. Nor do any of us.”_ > > Wallace: _“Let me just interrupt to say that the entire intelligence community says it was Russia.”_ > > Kennedy: _“Right, but it could also be Ukraine. I’m not saying that I know one way or the other.”_ > > Here you have a top Republican seemingly proud of his ignorance. Sure, you can - with enough effort - put facts into his head. But you will never be able to force him to learn anything from those facts. Kennedy is a good little authoritarian; he knows there’s no such thing as truth. There is only what the Leader tells you. It’s the old “are you going to believe me, or your lying eyes?” instruction–described in one way or another by every writer on autocracy. Masha Gessen discussed this in a _Mother Jones_ article: > [@](#): > > Every time he [Trump] lies, especially when he lies about something really obvious – like the size of the Inauguration – he’s saying “I can say whatever I want, whenever I want to, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” I think he understands that instinctively. He has a finely honed sense for power and manipulation. Bullying is another way to put it. > **[Here's one strong connection between Trump and Putin](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/10/trump-and-putin-strong-connection-lies/)** > > Lies. If the Leader says it was Ukraine and not Russia who interfered in the 2016 election, then it was Ukraine. Question that at your peril. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39066 "2019-11-26T00:34:51Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > If the Leader says it was Ukraine and not Russia who interfered in the 2016 election, then it was Ukraine. Question that at your peril. If The Leader says that a murdering scum is a good man, and should remain a SEAL, then that is exactly what will happen, even if he has been convicted by a court. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39067 "2019-11-26T01:01:34Z")
I know this thread is about how shitty Trump is, but since the issue of Bloomberg came up, I am not absolutely opposed to his candidacy if he can commit to remaining a Dem and not run 3rd party. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39068 "2019-11-26T01:11:57Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Navy Secretary Richard Spencer has been fired](https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/24/politics/pentagon-mark-esper-richard-spencer/index.html). > > Well, ‘forced to resign’. Same thing. I believe [Conan the dog](https://www.npr.org/2019/11/25/782653242/conan-the-military-dog-who-helped-kill-isis-leader-honored-at-white-house?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news) is next in line for the job. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39069 "2019-11-26T01:44:57Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) was being interviewed by Chris Wallace on Fox News. > > Wallace: _“Senator Kennedy, who do you believe was responsible for hacking the DNC and Clinton campaign computers - their emails? Was it Russia or Ukraine?”_ > > Kennedy: _“I don’t know. Nor do you. Nor do any of us.”_ > > Wallace: _“Let me just interrupt to say that the entire intelligence community says it was Russia.”_ > > Kennedy: _“Right, but it could also be Ukraine. I’m not saying that I know one way or the other.”_ > > Here you have a top Republican seemingly proud of his ignorance. Sure, you can - with enough effort - put facts into his head. But you will never be able to force him to learn anything from those facts. Seems to be the party line this week. From Meet The Press last Sunday: > [@](#): > > SEN. ROGER WICKER: > But I’m not at all surprised that Russia is gearing up. I’m not at all surprised that – [Fiona Hill is] correct that Russia tried to interfere in 2016. Also Ukrainians themselves tried to interfere also. But Chuck, I – > > CHUCK TODD: > Isn’t there a big difference between the two and the Ukrainians? Look, I understand there’s individual Ukrainians who were upset that candidate Donald Trump wanted Crimea to stay with Russia. Is that the same as the Russian government and Putin ordering a full-fledged interference in the United States election. > > SEN. ROGER WICKER: > I’m concerned about both. I’m concerned about both. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39070 "2019-11-26T02:23:17Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I know this thread is about how shitty Trump is, but since the issue of Bloomberg came up, I am not absolutely opposed to his candidacy if he can commit to remaining a Dem and not **run 3rd party**. /derail/ If he did what I bolded I’m guessing that’s tantamount to handing Prez. DrawersOnHead the 2020 presidency. /end of derail/ ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39071 "2019-11-26T02:28:19Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > /derail/ If he did what I bolded I’m guessing that’s tantamount to handing Prez. DrawersOnHead the 2020 presidency. /end of derail/ No disagreement there. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39072 "2019-11-26T02:50:43Z")
Saw this elsewhere. Individual-ONE tweeted about having a wonderful visit with the military canine hero. They got along great. Because, you know, dogs are know to be fond of smelling assholes. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39073 "2019-11-26T03:23:50Z")
Individual 1 nominated former Rear Admiral Ken Braithwaite, current Ambassador to Norway and an Individual 1 campaign staffer, as Secretary of the Navy. Can’t find anything particularly offensive about him, there must be something wrong in there somewhere. Except that he is a former oil company and insurance company executive. ---
**Author:** ![margin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@margin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/margin)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39074 "2019-11-26T03:31:08Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > If it were Trump that was an asset, that would be inconsequential; the much, much deeper problem is that Putin’s hacking of the Republican party and conservative causes. When he was just a sleazy business failure, it was inconsequential; now he’s doing the bidding for two masters; Putin and the Reichwing. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39075 "2019-11-26T13:51:02Z")
> [@HelenGawn](#): > > I’m in a minority - I may _be_ the minority - that doesn’t believe any kompromat is involved. Putin or his minions have been blowing smoke up trump’s ass for thirty years, and that’s the only thing that really gets him off (sorry, **margin** ). Nothing will break that bond. I don’t know. Lindsey Graham’s complete 180 is hard to explain without some blackmail mixed in there. Considering many of these politicians would probably have to face dire consequences if just their browser histories were revealed, how much kompromat do you really think it would take to subvert a government? I’m guessing shockingly little. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39076 "2019-11-26T15:24:28Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > \*\*\* I \*\*\*certainly can’t understand how Trump has the nerve to show his face in public, let alone spout even more bullshit every day. Because the sun shines out his ass. If he didn’t, we’d all be sitting in the dark and freezing – just ask him. ---
**Author:** ![margin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@margin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/margin)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39077 "2019-11-26T15:50:32Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I don’t know. Lindsey Graham’s complete 180 is hard to explain without some blackmail mixed in there. > > Considering many of these politicians would probably have to face dire consequences if just their browser histories were revealed, how much kompromat do you really think it would take to subvert a government? I’m guessing shockingly little. People forget that the _R_NC was hacked at the same time as the _D_NC. _That_ material was not publicly released. Lindsay Graham was a huge critic of Trump until October of 2016, when he went golfing with Trump. Since then, he’s treated Trump the way Trump treats Putin. Considering that the Repubs had no problem defending Roy Moore, what on earth are they like in private? ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39078 "2019-11-26T16:22:49Z")
> [@](#): > > **On centennial coins, Trump struggles with how time works** > > …when Trump signed the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, which directs the Treasury to honor the 100th anniversary of American women getting the right to vote through currency. After signing the measure – which passed both the House and Senate unanimously – the president decided to take a moment to reflect on what he considered important: his own awesomeness. > > \*“I am curious why wasn’t it done a long time ago and also, well, I guess the answer to that is because now I am president and we get things done. > > “We get a lot of things done that nobody else got done.”\* > Well, if Trump is “curious” why other presidents didn’t sign the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, I can help. In this country, the women’s suffrage movement led to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1919, and its ratification in 1920. > > No one tried to honor the centennial of this because – and this is important – centennials mark the hundredth anniversary of things. In order to recognize the centennial of something that happened in 1920, we had to wait until around 2020, because that’s how time works. > **[On centennial coins, Trump struggles with how time works](https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/centennial-coins-trump-struggles-how-time-works-msna1308211)** > > If Trump is "curious" why other presidents didn't sign the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, I think I can help. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39079 "2019-11-26T17:36:05Z")
Technically, the Act itself could have been passed and signed into law at any time, only the coin itself is time-sensitive. Of course, if Obama had signed it into law, it would have been bad, _bad, eeeeevil_, and in need of recission. Like, say, [that one particular twenty design](https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-harriet-tubman-20-dollar-bill-delayed-trump-20190522-story.html). ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39080 "2019-11-26T18:09:52Z")
I’m not convinced he doesn’t think that he just signed a law giving women the vote. Look for that to show up on his “Gud Tings I Dun” list soon. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39081 "2019-11-26T18:27:24Z")
Don’t be silly. He would never think giving women any kind of voice or agency would be a good thing. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39082 "2019-11-26T19:06:47Z")
Individual 1 says he wants the war criminals he pardoned to campaign with him. Quid pro quo. [Trump Tells Allies He Wants Absolved War Criminals to Campaign for Him](https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-tells-allies-he-wants-absolved-war-criminals-to-campaign-for-him)? ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39083 "2019-11-26T19:33:06Z")
Apparently, the White House and Pentagon are arguing over whether the dog that caught al-Baghdadi is male or female. Based on the photo here: [https://images.app.goo.gl/6NeCT8Met6U3q3FY7](https://images.app.goo.gl/6NeCT8Met6U3q3FY7) I vote girl. Which means, basically, that Trump called her a boy so now the White House has to call her a boy. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39084 "2019-11-26T20:32:23Z")
Once again, on top of multiple lies, Individual 1 makes the turkey pardoning a political event. [https://politicaltribune.org/trump-appears-to-turn-turkey-pardoning-event-into-a-rant-about-democrat](https://politicaltribune.org/trump-appears-to-turn-turkey-pardoning-event-into-a-rant-about-democrat) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1953) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1955)