# 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:** 2238
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44747 "2020-06-14T13:17:25Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I donno, he could have bursitis or gout or something. The drinking water thing is really nothing. We should concentrate on his crimes and abject disregard for anyone but himself. We can note his crimes and narcissism r **ight along with** noting his mental and physical deterioration. Plenty of RAM. Multi-tasking, don’tcha know. Here’s the thing: people can make all kinds of excuses about his arm falling asleep or “lots of normal people hold a water bottle with two hands!” but **what if this were your parent**? What if over a period of a month of Sunday dinners you started to notice that Mom or Grandpa seemed to need two hands to drink from a cup or bottle? Or that s/he didn’t seem to have as much use of one of their hands/arms as they did in the past? Or moved very slowly down a ramp and then gave a little “I did it!” dance for joy at the bottom? Let’s not even talk about slurring, repeating the same phrase over and over in a given conversation, and _ **sending out dozens of maniacal tweets every day!** _ Okay, it’s not likely that Grandpa would be doing that… although at some point you are going to wonder if it really is normal for him to come to Sunday dinner dressed [inappropriately.](https://imgur.com/vQ7gDr4) Malice, hatred, and politics aside, these are signs that any of us would notice and investigate if they showed up in someone we cared about. In this case… well. They’re curious. Sumpin’ ain’t right with the Orange One. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44748 "2020-06-14T14:42:54Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > The big thing now is ultraviolet light. I’m just wondering whether Trump will do down the front door or up the back door. [Sarah Cooper wondered the same thing, and decided: back door.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxDKW75ueIU) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44749 "2020-06-14T15:22:01Z")
> [@Mike\_Mabes](#): > > All I am saying is that Trump is a despot, an idiot, a liar, a con man, a threat to this entire country. Those are all things his base is either in favor of or doesn’t mind. What they would mind is someone who is weak. Trump showing physical weakness would definitely lower his standing with the base. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44750 "2020-06-14T15:39:02Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > (…) and how the Trump administration has been the best one ever concerning the rights of African Americans (much better than Lincoln, Johnson, or Obama). Well, to be fair, he is marginally better than Johnson – [_Andrew_](http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/exhibits/reconstruction/section4/section4_presrecon.html) Johnson. > [@](#): > > In 1865 President Andrew Johnson implemented a plan of Reconstruction that gave the white South a free hand in regulating the transition from slavery to freedom and offered no role to blacks in the politics of the South. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44751 "2020-06-14T15:41:19Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > I go down steps better with two store bought knees and I’m only a few years younger than The Donald. The man seriously looks like someone who has had a mini-stroke. Well, there was that mysterious sudden trip to Walter Reed last November. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44752 "2020-06-14T15:47:14Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > **The big thing now is ultraviolet light.** I’m just wondering whether Trump will do down the front door or up the back door. > [@jsc1953](#): > > [Sarah Cooper wondered the same thing, and decided: back door.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxDKW75ueIU) #BlackLightsMatter ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44753 "2020-06-14T16:00:07Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > #BlackLightsMatter :eek: ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44754 "2020-06-14T16:02:51Z")
What would be the repercussions (if any) to staff and doctors that covered up a serious medical problem with the president? Let’s say hypothetically that Trump did suffer a small stroke. And that he’s being medicated before speeches. That he has been diagnosed by a medical professional as having mental issues. Then this is covered up so the public does not know. No problem, business as usual, must keep our “enemies” from knowing how weak and incompetent he is? Or would this lead eventually to discipline for those involved in keeping the secret? ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44755 "2020-06-14T16:16:15Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > No, _Reagan_ was the guy who was getting senile during the end of his time in office. Fortunately, he was still pretty functional (it was early signs) and the people around him helped him get through that last bit without causing a problem for the nation. > > Whether or not Trump’s right side is working properly is a different question than is he mentally competent and able to run the country. After all, we’ve had a disabled president before and FDR functioned quite well as president for three terms (yes, he was elected a fourth time but his health went rapidly downhill shortly thereafter). Also, yes, FDR’s problem is definitely a different thing that whatever may or may not be ailing Trump at this point. Despite Trump’s bluster, a modern leader doesn’t need to be physically robust to run a country, but \*mental \*functioning is very important. > > What concerns me is that our president (and he is our president regardless of any personal feelings) may be suffering from a medical ailment that is not being properly addressed. Is it something that could interfere with his job performance? I have no frickin’ idea, I’m not a doctor. If it’s neurological it might. Or might not. The question is _how functional do we want him to be_? If he were at the top of his form and effective, he would be breaking things harder and stirring up even more international conflict. That is his agenda. He is the number-ONE America-Hating-Fuckstick. We _do not_ want him doing well at what he thinks is his job, because that is exactly the opposite of what most of the country thinks is job. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44756 "2020-06-14T16:34:16Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > What would be the repercussions (if any) to staff and doctors that covered up a serious medical problem with the president? I don’t believe there would be any. At least not any official legal ones. Doctors and other medical professionals are required to keep a patient’s medical issues confidential. I don’t think there’s a “need-to-know” exemption for political figures. The staff’s in more of a gray area. But I don’t feel they are under any legal obligation to disclose any signs they see of the President’s disabilities. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44757 "2020-06-14T20:36:20Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I don’t believe there would be any. At least not any official legal ones. > > Doctors and other medical professionals are required to keep a patient’s medical issues confidential. I don’t think there’s a “need-to-know” exemption for political figures. > > The staff’s in more of a gray area. But I don’t feel they are under any legal obligation to disclose any signs they see of the President’s disabilities. In Ontario, physicians must, by law, report drivers whom we believe may be unfit to operate a motor vehicle. I would have assumed that the military had a similar rule, albeit more tightly defined. If a junior officer sees evidence of dementia or psychosis in a more senior officer, would he/she not be required to report it? Well, Trump is CinC . . . ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44758 "2020-06-14T20:56:33Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > In Ontario, physicians must, by law, report drivers whom we believe may be unfit to operate a motor vehicle. I would have assumed that the military had a similar rule, albeit more tightly defined. > > If a junior officer sees evidence of dementia or psychosis in a more senior officer, would he/she not be required to report it? \*\*Well, Trump is CinC \*\*. . . He’s not in the military. Republicans in Congress has already said they’re fine with him steering the country over a cliff. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44759 "2020-06-14T21:05:35Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > #trumpwearsdiapers was trending on Twitter but I could not find an obvious reason as to why (aside from the super-obvious that is). Occam’s Razor and all that. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > What would be the repercussions (if any) to staff and doctors that covered up a serious medical problem with the president? > > Let’s say hypothetically that Trump did suffer a small stroke. And that he’s being medicated before speeches. That he has been diagnosed by a medical professional as having mental issues. Then this is covered up so the public does not know. > > No problem, business as usual, must keep our “enemies” from knowing how weak and incompetent he is? > > Or would this lead eventually to discipline for those involved in keeping the secret? I would assume that as the patient, Chump would need to give permission to reveal any details to the public. If he doesn’t, of course not putting the information out will raise suspicions, but the medics’ hands are tied, aren’t they? ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44760 "2020-06-14T21:11:52Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Occam’s Razor and all that. > > I would assume that as the patient, Chump would need to give permission to reveal any details to the public. If he doesn’t, of course not putting the information out will raise suspicions, but the medics’ hands are tied, aren’t they? If anyone working in or near the WH knows anything specific about trump’s condition, I can’t believe there hasn’t been a leak. Hell, it could be routed through anonymous servers in Russia or New Jersey or something. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44761 "2020-06-14T21:18:37Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > If anyone working in or near the WH knows anything specific about trump’s condition, I can’t believe there hasn’t been a leak. I assume his diapers are of the very best quality, so maybe not yet. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44762 "2020-06-14T21:31:44Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > > > What would be the repercussions (if any) to staff and doctors that covered up a serious medical problem with the president? > > I don’t believe there would be any. At least not any official legal ones. > > Doctors and other medical professionals are required to keep a patient’s medical issues confidential. I don’t think there’s a “need-to-know” exemption for political figures. Isn’t there an expectation when one runs for high office that the voters are informed of any issues that might affect one’s ability to govern? I think we recognize now that it was wrong to keep secret FDR and JFK’s medical issues. And Thomas Eagleton’s secrecy about his medical treatment was the reason he was forced to withdraw. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44763 "2020-06-14T21:32:08Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Occam’s Razor and all that. > > I would assume that as the patient, Chump would need to give permission to reveal any details to the public. If he doesn’t, of course not putting the information out will raise suspicions, but the medics’ hands are tied, aren’t they? What about if they put out false information? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44764 "2020-06-14T21:34:39Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I assume his diapers are of the very best quality, so maybe not yet. Oh, definitely very good quality diapers. The best. The bestest diapers. And the biggest. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44765 "2020-06-14T21:36:42Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > What about if they put out false information? That may be different. Dunno. I thought we were talking about if they just didn’t say anything. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2020, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44766 "2020-06-15T00:18:01Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The posture in that clip is very odd. He is listing to port (is his arm resting on the podium?) with his right arm straight – to me it looks like a man who is trying to exude confidence to obscure his low self-esteem. Then there are these odd moves where his head cants left for a bit, then cants right as though he is trying to evoke a martinet or something (marionette?). **I am suddenly hearing Michael Palin’s voice (was it holy grail?) "_What a strange person_.**" On the emphasized (by me) bit: you may be recalling Graham Chapman (as King Arthur), on meeting Tim the Enchanter (John Cleese), making an aside to Michael Palin’s Galahad: > [@](#): > > What an eccentric performance! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1pCX\_g9NOU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1pCX_g9NOU) (If I’ve used that once IRL I’ve used it 40,000 times.) And on the topic of Trump’s medical issues: yes, it IS important, not only because of the usual concerns over a Chief Executive being incapable of his duties, but because _Trump’s base cares about the appearance of strength_. If he doesn’t have it, they will stay home. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2237) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2239)