# 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:** 2104
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42066 "2020-04-01T02:18:25Z")
A competently managed CV task force would have organized itself something like this: Here are our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). We will report on the status of each of these regularly: PPEs (masks & stuff) & Ventilators: how many do we need; how many are in the field; how many are in the pipeline. Date by which we expect to reach the goal. Obstacles to achieving the goal, if any. Tests: ditto. Treatment: how many facilities are working on treatments. How many clinical trials are in progress. Any interesting developments worth repeating. Vaccine: ditto. Policy: what is our current understanding of the best social policy to mitigate the crisis. What percent of Americans are following those policies. What date do we expect/hope to relax (optional). Metrics: today’s total (a) tested (b) positive © hospitalized (d) fatalities. I’d appoint someone in charge of each of these, who would give their status at briefings as needed. None of those people would be the POTUS. Now, this presupposes that the goal of the team was transparency and the dissemination of factual, useful information. If the goal is to make the POTUS look good…then it would probably behave like what we’re seeing. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42067 "2020-04-01T02:27:31Z")
Individual 1: "Just finished a very good conversation with President Xi of China. Discussed in great detail the CoronaVirus that is ravaging large parts of our Planet. China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the Virus. We are working closely together. Much respect!: > Individual 1 Jr.: "Anyone praising China’s “leadership” in responding that the virus should be scorned for being the authoritarian/communist propagandist that they are. " > (Yes, the blather of words coming out of Jr’s tweet is verbatim) ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42068 "2020-04-01T03:14:58Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I believe he was/is also involved in a project to re-edit the xtian bible to get rid of all the gooey liberal nonsense that corrupts the message. So, a Christian Bible without Jesus, eh? Should be a big demand for it in “prosperity gospel” congregations… ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42069 "2020-04-01T03:37:00Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > So, a Christian Bible without Jesus, eh? I have not looked at their work, but it seems likely it would be some sort of jujitsu-jesus, with a Chuck Norris beard, two bandoliers and a Dodge Ram packed with automatic weapons. The text is probably revised to say that he died in the cross-fire. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42070 "2020-04-01T05:48:43Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > … it seems likely it would be some sort of jujitsu-jesus, with a Chuck Norris beard, two bandoliers and a Dodge Ram packed with automatic weapons. The text is probably revised to say that **he died in the cross** -fire. Emphasis added by me. Nicely done! ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42071 "2020-04-01T05:53:20Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I believe he was/is also involved in a project to re-edit the xtian bible to get rid of all the gooey liberal nonsense that corrupts the message. I thought they already had [that before the Civil War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_bible). ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42072 "2020-04-01T12:30:01Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Emphasis added by me. > > Nicely done! Always look on the blight side of life. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42073 "2020-04-01T15:26:14Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > A competently managed CV task force would have organized itself something like this: > > Here are our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). We will report on the status of each of these regularly: > > PPEs (masks & stuff) & Ventilators: how many do we need; how many are in the field; how many are in the pipeline. Date by which we expect to reach the goal. Obstacles to achieving the goal, if any. > > Tests: ditto. > > Treatment: how many facilities are working on treatments. How many clinical trials are in progress. Any interesting developments worth repeating. > > Vaccine: ditto. > > Policy: what is our current understanding of the best social policy to mitigate the crisis. What percent of Americans are following those policies. What date do we expect/hope to relax (optional). > > Metrics: today’s total (a) tested (b) positive (c) hospitalized (d) fatalities. > > I’d appoint someone in charge of each of these, who would give their status at briefings as needed. None of those people would be the POTUS. > > Now, this presupposes that the goal of the team was transparency and the dissemination of factual, useful information. If the goal is to make the POTUS look good…then it would probably behave like what we’re seeing. Yes, th key performance indicators you propose would be misdirect away from the danger to the [real victim of the virus](https://thebulwark.com/trump-identifies-the-real-victim-of-the-covid-19-epidemic-himself/) Much better KPI’s would be \*\*TV ratings: \*\* How do the presidents briefings compare with the Bachelor season opener? \*\*Retweets: \*\*Is the presidents disinformation spreading at virally as the actual virus? Blame redirection: How successfully has the damage of the crashing economy and mass deaths under the administration be successfully laid at the feet of the Democrats and Obama? **Ego Stroking:** Are those seeking assistance from the federal government sufficiently obsequious and sycophantic to the great leader? \*\* Poll Numbers: \*\* Have the limited resources been most wisely distributed among the swing states so as to most likely allow for continuing maladministration. **Economic Indicators:** Is the Trump family net worth increasing at sufficient speed, and how much can we get for 10,000 ventilators. Don’t worry, the administration has made these a top priority and directed virtually all of its resources in making sure that these KPI’s remain strong. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42074 "2020-04-01T16:02:15Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > \*\*Retweets: \*\*Is the presidents disinformation spreading at virally as the actual virus? In the game [Plague Inc: Evolved](https://store.steampowered.com/app/246620/Plague_Inc_Evolved/) you usually play as a pathogen trying to wipe out humanity. They added a mode where you try to spread conspiracy theories. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42075 "2020-04-01T16:46:39Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > So, a Christian Bible without Jesus, eh? Are we really supposed to believe that an American God would give his only son a Mexican name? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42076 "2020-04-01T16:49:46Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > In the game [Plague Inc: Evolved](https://store.steampowered.com/app/246620/Plague_Inc_Evolved/) you usually play as a pathogen trying to wipe out humanity. They added a mode where you try to spread conspiracy theories. You can’t win, though. Madagascar keeps closing its internet. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42077 "2020-04-01T17:53:47Z")
[ **Obamacare Markets Will Not Reopen, Trump Decides** _The move would have made it easier for people who have recently lost jobs to obtain health insurance._](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/upshot/obamacare-markets-coronavirus-trump.html) > [@](#): > > The Trump administration has decided against reopening the Affordable Care Act’s [Healthcare.gov](http://Healthcare.gov) marketplaces to new customers, despite broad layoffs and growing fears that people will be uninsured during the coronavirus outbreak. > > The option to reopen markets, in what is known as a special enrollment period, would have made it easier for people who have recently lost jobs or who had already been uninsured to obtain health insurance. The administration has established such special enrollment periods in the past, typically in the wake of natural disasters. > … > > Many Democratic politicians criticized the decision Wednesday as insensitive to the needs of the public in a crisis. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also released a statement, suggesting it may become a campaign issue. > > “In the midst of a global pandemic, Washington Republicans continue their crusade against the health and safety of the American public,” said Fabiola Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the group, in the statement. “By blocking uninsured Covid-19 patients from getting health care, Trump and his allies have decided to bankrupt American families. The American people deserve to know if House Republicans will stand up for the millions of Americans who face the challenge of being jobless and uninsured during the Covid-19 pandemic.” > > Both Democratic and Republican members of Congress had also urged the administration to consider a special enrollment period. But Congress declined to require such an enrollment period in its last round of coronavirus legislation, instead leaving the decision to **federal officials.** > … My bold. “Federal officials”? I guess that means Dear Leader all by his lonesome? Gonna kill Obummercare one way or another, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42078 "2020-04-01T18:02:33Z")
He can now add “murderer” to his extensive resume, along with racist, misogynist, liar, groper, cheater, and heartless motherfucker. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42079 "2020-04-01T18:35:23Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > He can now add “murderer” to his extensive resume, along with racist, misogynist, liar, groper, cheater, and heartless motherfucker. I think he’s had “murderer” on his resume since Puerto Rico, but I take your point. I’d term him as a serial multi-mega-murderer. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42080 "2020-04-01T18:44:16Z")
Between today’s Obamacare developments, and yesterday’s rollback of EPA emission standards…it’s good\* to see that the Trump Administration can walk and chew gum at the same time. In the middle of this crisis they still manage to work on their Agenda of Evil. Kudos\*, Team Trump! And by “good” I mean “infuriating” and by “kudos” I mean “fuck you”. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42081 "2020-04-01T19:13:36Z")
It is the patriotic duty of every American to die for his or her country (bone spurs excepted). ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42082 "2020-04-01T19:28:28Z")
As of April Fools Day, the Jester in Chief is doing very well in approval polls – high 40s. American society needs to get over itself and start trying to keep up with the first world rather than continue to seep downhill. In particular, the Make America Great Again populists need to take a good hard look at both themselves and the rest of the first world, but since they are no more capable of doing this than their leader is able to turn himself into a human, the rest of the U.S. of A. had damn well better get its act together. [undefined Polls | FiveThirtyEight](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/trump-approval/) ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42083 "2020-04-01T19:29:28Z")
As of April Fools Day, the Jester in Chief is doing very well in approval polls – high 40s. American society needs to get over itself and start trying to keep up with the first world rather than continue to seep downhill. In particular, the Make America Great Again populists need to take a good hard look at both themselves and the rest of the first world, but since they are no more capable of doing this than their leader is able to turn himself into a human, the rest of the U.S. of A. had damn well better get its act together. [undefined Polls | FiveThirtyEight](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/trump-approval/) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42084 "2020-04-01T19:32:02Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > As of April Fools Day, the Jester in Chief is doing very well in approval polls – high 40s. American society needs to get over itself and start trying to keep up with the first world rather than continue to seep downhill. In particular, the Make America Great Again populists need to take a good hard look at both themselves and the rest of the first world, but since they are no more capable of doing this than their leader is able to turn himself into a human, the rest of the U.S. of A. had damn well better get its act together. They have had a perfectly good look. They are getting what they wanted. You are, like so many, proceeding on the assumption that Trumpists don’t know what it is the’re supporting. They know perfectly well what they’re supporting, and they approve. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/42085 "2020-04-01T19:36:10Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I think he’s had “murderer” on his resume since Puerto Rico, but I take your point. I’d term him as a serial multi-mega-murderer. He prides himself on doing everything in a Big Way! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2103) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2105)