# 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:** 2099
**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:** [March 29, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41966 "2020-03-29T04:46:42Z")
[1918 Philadelphia Liberty Loan Parade](https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/flu-epidemic-hits-philadelphia). ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41967 "2020-03-29T05:25:01Z")
My post was @Monty (got multi-ninjad) ---
**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:** [March 29, 2020, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41968 "2020-03-29T09:01:52Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Itsy what what? You realize that the Tangerine Twerp completely buys into the myth that one’s digits indicate the size of one’s member. That’s why he’s so sensitive about his tiny hands and digits. Thus: “Itsy Bitsy Bits Orange”. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2020, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41969 "2020-03-29T09:32:35Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > A sign of the times…didn’t realize that was satire until after I finished the article. “Donald J. Trump is PotUS”. That right there is enough sariire to fuel the universe. Monty Python at their peak could not even come close to that level of ridiculousness. Everything else is gravy. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41970 "2020-03-29T15:24:44Z")
While states like Maine and Colorado got a small fraction of the requested supplies, Florida received [300% of what they asked fo](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/desperate-for-medical-equipment-states-encounter-a-beleaguered-national-stockpile/2020/03/28/1f4f9a0a-6f82-11ea-aa80-c2470c6b2034_story.html)r. \* “Florida has been an exception in its dealings with the stockpile: The state submitted a request on March 11 for 430,000 surgical masks, 180,000 N95 respirators, 82,000 face shields and 238,000 gloves, among other supplies — and received a shipment with everything three days later, according to figures from the state’s Division of Emergency Management. It received an identical shipment on March 23, according to the division, and is awaiting a third.”\* ---
**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:** [March 29, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41971 "2020-03-29T15:43:18Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > > > that’s going to decimate the commercial ventilator business for the next decade. > > > > To me that is entirely the wrong thing to be thinking about. > > It’s a consideration if it means the existing players in the industry get out of the ventilator business. Where will we be when these 80,000 ventilators reach end of life? Who will be there to supply new ones? Perhaps, if 80,000 ventilators are built under this project, perhaps they should be stored in the Strategic Ventilator Reserve when the COVID-19 emergency ends. That, at least, avoids flooding the market. OK, I was kind of kidding about a Strategic Ventilator Reserve, but the US government was not. Thirteen years ago, they tried to [build as many as 70,000 ventilators for a Strategic National Stockpile](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/29/business/coronavirus-us-ventilator-shortage.html) (paywall warning). They would have been simple, easy to use and inexpensive ventilators that could be deployed in an emergency; even then it was obvious that this is the sort of thing that really could happen. Too bad the project fell apart. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41972 "2020-03-29T16:26:35Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > OK, I was kind of kidding about a Strategic Ventilator Reserve, but the US government was not. Thirteen years ago, they tried to [build as many as 70,000 ventilators for a Strategic National Stockpile](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/29/business/coronavirus-us-ventilator-shortage.html) (paywall warning). They would have been simple, easy to use and inexpensive ventilators that could be deployed in an emergency; even then it was obvious that this is the sort of thing that really could happen. Too bad the project fell apart. The more important point of the the NYT article is that the project fell apart because it depended on the continuing commitment of a multinational corporation. But of course who could blame a private company (with billions of income) for abandoning its commitment when it turned out to be a ‘money loser’, i.e. opportunity costs don’t you know. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41973 "2020-03-29T18:22:55Z")
He’s currently boasting on twitter about the viewership figures for his coronavirus press conferences. I’m sorry America, but somebody really needs to do something about this and fast, whether by the 25th Amendment or the 2nd. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41974 "2020-03-29T18:29:21Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > He’s currently boasting on twitter about the viewership figures for his coronavirus press conferences. I’m sorry America, but somebody really needs to do something about this and fast, whether by the 25th Amendment or the 2nd. Just when I think he couldn’t get any more pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41975 "2020-03-29T18:49:42Z")
Perhaps the best metaphor about the current situation in the USA (And England): > **[Daily Coronavirus Task Force briefing set for 5 PM today...I mean 5:45...](https://www.fark.com/comments/10761147/126333766#c126333766)** > > Daily Coronavirus Task Force briefing set for 5 PM today...I mean 5:45 PM...make that 6:17 PM...um, wait (YouTube feed updated) Protester with a sign: "How often did he save everyone on Gilligan’s island? The Millionare: **NEVER** The Professor: **In pretty much every episode!**" ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41976 "2020-03-29T18:59:39Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I eagerly look forward to tomorrow when he announces that he’s sending Snake Plissken into Trump Tower to rescue Barron, then wanders off without signing the bill in front of him and starts rage-tweeting about Kathy Griffin. I thought Snake was dead. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41977 "2020-03-29T19:07:38Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Just when I think he couldn’t get any more pathetic. Wouldn’t it be awesome if Cuomo’s press conferences got higher ratings than Trump’s? His head would explode. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2020, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41978 "2020-03-29T19:10:54Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > …and he’s already changed his mind again. > > I eagerly look forward to tomorrow when he announces that he’s sending Snake Plissken into Trump Tower to rescue Barron, then wanders off without signing the bill in front of him and starts rage-tweeting about Kathy Griffin. And during the time he dithered, how many people fled New York to other parts of the country so as not to be trapped in the city? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41979 "2020-03-29T20:36:00Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > He’s currently boasting on twitter about the viewership figures for his coronavirus press conferences. I’m sorry America, but somebody really needs to do something about this and fast, whether by the 25th Amendment or the 2nd. [Moderator] Let’s not advocate assassinating the president on this board, okay? No warning issued. [/Moderator] ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41980 "2020-03-29T20:48:32Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Just when I think he couldn’t get any more pathetic. He’s just getting warmed up. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41981 "2020-03-29T22:16:58Z")
Somebody actually got through to him. He just advocated extending restrictions until the end of April and admitted that we will be dealing with this through June. Then again, he is accusing New York of overusing masks. He doesn’t understand that most patients without Covid 19 do not require masks. He is still an ignorant ass who understands nothing but at least he is no longer advocating for restrictions to be lifted before Easter. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2020, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41982 "2020-03-29T22:32:58Z")
Regarding “overusing masks”, I believe in normal times an N95 mask is one-time-use-only. So a nurse enters the patient room to deliver meds, or even to adjust the pillows, they’ll wear the gown, mask, goggles and gloves, go into the room, do whatever, and then remove all of that after leaving the room. All of that stuff gets tossed in the garbage. And someone might need to go into the room five or ten times in an hour. Hence, many, many N95 masks are needed. It’s only because of this emergency that the clinicians are reusing the masks (over the course of a day or even over a week or more). ---
**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:** [March 29, 2020, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41983 "2020-03-29T22:37:07Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Somebody actually got through to him. He just advocated extending restrictions until the end of April and admitted that we will be dealing with this through June. Then again, he is accusing New York of overusing masks. He doesn’t understand that most patients without Covid 19 do not require masks. He is still an ignorant ass who understands nothing but at least he is no longer advocating for restrictions to be lifted before Easter. Just wait. He’ll come up with a NEW dumb-ass idea next week. Likely something fed to him by a conspiracy theory moron, or a fox news moron. Could be anything, but certain to be stupid. Then wait 3 days, and someone will talk him out if it. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41984 "2020-03-29T22:57:56Z")
The mask thing is insane. To accuse New York of using too many masks when they are reusing disposable masks shows no understanding at all. Normally you would only use an N95 mask for a very small proportion of patients with diseases like tuberculosis. Now they are needed for many patients so the need skyrockets. Now he is trying to take credit for every positive thing. He is taking full credit for the Army Corps of Engineers who are incidentally doing an awesome job but not doing the work themselves but instead offering guidance and blueprints for converting convention centers and other facilities into hospitals. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/41985 "2020-03-29T23:06:52Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > He is still an ignorant ass who understands nothing but at least he is no longer advocating for restrictions to be lifted before Easter. Today. Let’s see what happens tomorrow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2098) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2100)