# 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:** 230
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4581 "2017-05-16T01:27:21Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Top story on [Foxnews.com](http://Foxnews.com) right now: “BACK IN THE POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT Clinton launches Onward Together PAC, calls on members to ‘resist’”. > > If you scroll down, and avoid the fact that the font is approximately 2500% smaller, you get the mealy mouthed: “Report claims Trump revealed classified info about ISIS to Russians” > > Here’s why there isn’t more outrage. It’s because they’re working with different data. Breitbart headline: DEEP STATE STRIKES: LEAKS CLASSIFIED INFORMATION TO WASHINGTON POST TO SMEAR TRUMP Holy shit. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4582 "2017-05-16T01:34:56Z")
If, as McMaster, Tillerson and others present at the meeting are saying, the story is fake, that’s outrageous. \*“At no time were any intelligence sources or methods discussed and no military operations were disclosed that were not already known publicly,” said Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster. McMaster later told reporters at the White House, “Other senior officials who were present, including the secretary of state, remember the meeting the same way and have said so. Their on-the-record accounts should outweigh those of anonymous sources. I was in the room, it didn’t happen.” “This story is false. The president only discussed the common threats that both countries faced,” added Dina Powell, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy, who also attended the meeting. … “During President Trump’s meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov a broad range of subjects were discussed among which were common efforts and threats regarding counter-terrorism. During that exchange the nature of specific threats were discussed, but they did not discuss sources, methods or military operations,” [Tillerson] said.\* ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4583 "2017-05-16T01:39:45Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Sounds like he started out bragging… One of the hilarious ironies (if it wasn’t so horrifying) is Trump bragging about intelligence, after he spent the entire campaign making enemies out of the US intelligence apparatus, bad-mouthing them at every opportunity. I wonder if that strained relationship may be behind today’s leak. Which is the other fascinating bit of conjecture…who was in the room and called up the Post? That has to be a very short list of candidates. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4584 "2017-05-16T01:39:45Z")
**Okrahoma:**. To quote **Merneith** from above, “A reputation for telling the truth would really come in handy for them about now.” ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4585 "2017-05-16T01:40:26Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > If, as McMaster, Tillerson and others present at the meeting are saying, the story is fake, that’s outrageous. > > \*“At no time were any intelligence sources or methods discussed and no military operations were disclosed that were not already known publicly,” said Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster. > > McMaster later told reporters at the White House, “Other senior officials who were present, including the secretary of state, remember the meeting the same way and have said so. Their on-the-record accounts should outweigh those of anonymous sources. I was in the room, it didn’t happen.” > > “This story is false. The president only discussed the common threats that both countries faced,” added Dina Powell, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy, who also attended the meeting. > … > “During President Trump’s meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov a broad range of subjects were discussed among which were common efforts and threats regarding counter-terrorism. During that exchange the nature of specific threats were discussed, but they did not discuss sources, methods or military operations,” [Tillerson] said.\* Which doesn’t address what Trump [actually did.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-revealed-highly-classified-information-to-russian-foreign-minister-and-ambassador/2017/05/15/530c172a-3960-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?utm_term=.5f4b09758ea6) > [@](#): > > In their statements, White House officials emphasized that Trump had not discussed specific intelligence sources and methods, rather than addressing whether he had disclosed information drawn from sensitive sources. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4586 "2017-05-16T01:51:22Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Which doesn’t address what Trump [actually did.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-revealed-highly-classified-information-to-russian-foreign-minister-and-ambassador/2017/05/15/530c172a-3960-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?utm_term=.5f4b09758ea6) “Regarding this accusation that I robbed a 7-11, I strongly deny having anything to do with JFK’s assassination.” ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4587 "2017-05-16T01:57:13Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Which doesn’t address what Trump [actually did.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-revealed-highly-classified-information-to-russian-foreign-minister-and-ambassador/2017/05/15/530c172a-3960-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?utm_term=.5f4b09758ea6) McMaster: “The story that came out tonight as reported is false.” ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4588 "2017-05-16T02:01:08Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Breitbart headline: DEEP STATE STRIKES: LEAKS CLASSIFIED INFORMATION TO WASHINGTON POST TO SMEAR TRUMP > > Holy shit. I’m pretty sure that Breitbart is simply an arm of the Kremlin now. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4589 "2017-05-16T02:03:49Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Top story on [Foxnews.com](http://Foxnews.com) right now: “BACK IN THE POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT Clinton launches Onward Together PAC, calls on members to ‘resist’”. > > If you scroll down, and avoid the fact that the font is approximately 2500% smaller, you get the mealy mouthed: “Report claims Trump revealed classified info about ISIS to Russians” > > Here’s why there isn’t more outrage. It’s because they’re working with different data. To be fair, Hillary needs to go the fuck away. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4590 "2017-05-16T02:08:14Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > McMaster: “The story that came out tonight as reported is false.” The idea that we should take public statements from your government to be true is a very strange one. Any particular reason we should take such statements seriously? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4591 "2017-05-16T02:08:36Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > To be fair, Hillary needs to go the fuck away. What does that have to do with Trump’s meeting, his intel slips, or the OP or the subject of this thread? ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4592 "2017-05-16T02:09:49Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > McMaster: “The story that came out tonight as reported is false.” From CNN: > [@](#): > > McMaster said that during the meeting, “at no time were any intelligence sources or methods discussed.” > The Washington Post story **did not say specific sources or methods were discussed,** but does cite officials who said Trump revealed the city within ISIS territory where the US ally had detected the threat Trump had discussed. Bolding mine. Very handy to deny something that was NEVER REPORTED. Tell me… Does it bother you that you are now basically carrying the water for the Russians? That you’re indistinguishable from one of those paid Russian scum-hole media influencers? ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4593 "2017-05-16T02:12:01Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Tell me… Does it bother you that you are now basically carrying the water for the Russians? That you’re indistinguishable from one of those paid Russian scum-hole media influencers? The new orders have been distributed to the Faithful: Russia is our friend. We have never been at war with Northasia. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4594 "2017-05-16T02:15:18Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > The new orders have been distributed to the Faithful: Russia is our friend. We have never been at war with Northasia. At this point I would be entirely unsurprised if Trump unveiled “the Ministry of Truth”, and it’s mandate was to censor the news and internet. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4595 "2017-05-16T02:15:54Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Tell me… Does it bother you that you are now basically carrying the water for the Russians? That you’re indistinguishable from one of those paid Russian scum-hole media influencers? But… her EMAILS! ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4596 "2017-05-16T02:19:25Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > McMaster: “The story that came out tonight as reported is false.” I am not sure why I should believe anybody from this administration anymore. I am asking you sincerely: can you give me reasons to believe what they say? Why did Bossert alert the CIA and NSA? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4597 "2017-05-16T02:21:09Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > But… her EMAILS! That email server was not secured. It could have resulted in classified information ending up in the hands of adversaries. And we can’t have that. Better to just give it to them. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4598 "2017-05-16T02:22:57Z")
David Brooks’ column today is priceless. It must be especially painful for this staunch conservative apologist to watch the debacle that the White House has become. The last line is particularly bitter. And true. [When the World Is Led by a Child](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/opinion/trump-classified-data.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Fdavid-brooks&action=click&contentCollection=opinion®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection) > [@](#): > > At certain times Donald Trump has seemed like a budding authoritarian, a corrupt Nixon, a rabble-rousing populist or a big business corporatist. > > But as Trump has settled into his White House role, he has given a series of long interviews, and when you study the transcripts it becomes clear that fundamentally he is none of these things. > > At base, Trump is an infantalist. There are three tasks that most mature adults have sort of figured out by the time they hit 25. Trump has mastered none of them. Immaturity is becoming the dominant note of his presidency, lack of self-control his leitmotif. > > First, most adults have learned to sit still. But mentally, Trump is still a 7-year-old boy who is bouncing around the classroom. > … > Second, most people of drinking age have achieved some accurate sense of themselves, some internal criteria to measure their own merits and demerits. But Trump seems to need perpetual outside approval to stabilize his sense of self… > … > Third, by adulthood most people can perceive how others are thinking. For example, they learn subtle arts such as false modesty so they won’t be perceived as obnoxious. > > But Trump seems to have not yet developed a theory of mind. Other people are black boxes that supply either affirmation or disapproval. > … > Which brings us to the reports that Trump betrayed an intelligence source and leaked secrets to his Russian visitors. From all we know so far, Trump didn’t do it because he is a Russian agent, or for any malevolent intent. He did it because he is sloppy, because he lacks all impulse control, and above all because he is a 7-year-old boy desperate for the approval of those he admires. > … > We’ve got this perverse situation in which the vast analytic powers of the entire world are being spent trying to understand a guy whose thoughts are often just six fireflies beeping randomly in a jar. > … The whole column is well worth reading. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4599 "2017-05-16T02:31:47Z")
> [@](#): > > He [Trump] is thus the all-time record-holder of the Dunning-Kruger effect 🙂 ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4600 "2017-05-16T02:34:38Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > David Brooks’ column today is priceless. It must be especially painful for this staunch conservative apologist to watch the debacle that the White House has become… Brooks is an old-style reactionary conservative asshole who would have been more comfortable under a Jeb Bush presidency. He has a tongue leathered from licking bungholes, a ten million dollar house, a dumped first wife, and a new trophy 20-some years younger than he is. He’s just as confused by Trump as we are, and terrified that his shenanigans are going to compromise his comfy lifestyle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=229) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=231)