# 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:** 231
**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, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4601 "2017-05-16T02:44:28Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > From CNN: > > 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? McMaster: **“The story that came out tonight as reported is false.”** (Bolding mine) That’s a direct quote. How much clearer can he get? ---
**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, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4602 "2017-05-16T02:45:30Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > That’s a direct quote. How much clearer can he get? And what reason do we have to believe him when this administration has lied constantly about everything? ---
**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, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4603 "2017-05-16T02:47:34Z")
> [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](#): > > 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? I am not sure why I should believe the story coming from the Trump Derangement Syndrome anonymous sources when the National Security Advisor, the Deputy National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State, who were eyewitnesses to the event, say unequivocally, in those words, that “the story is false”. See my leftist conspiracy theory thread. The left has jumped the shark. ---
**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, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4604 "2017-05-16T02:48:30Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > McMaster: **“The story that came out tonight as reported is false.”** (Bolding mine) > > That’s a direct quote. How much clearer can he get? “As reported” is weaselly. He could be clearer by not using weasel words. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2017, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4605 "2017-05-16T02:55:02Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > McMaster: “The story that came out tonight as reported is false.” You really are an incredibly gullible little cretin. ---
**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, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4606 "2017-05-16T02:57:56Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > “As reported” is weaselly. He could be clearer by not using weasel words. Can you explain the difference, in terms of weaselling, between “the story as reported” and “the story”? But if you prefer, Dina Powell - the also-present-at-the-meeting Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy said: “This story is false.” ---
**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, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4607 "2017-05-16T02:59:01Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I am not sure why I should believe the story coming from the Trump Derangement Syndrome anonymous sources when the National Security Advisor, the Deputy National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State, who were eyewitnesses to the event, say unequivocally, in those words, that “the story is false”. As Trump property, you shouldn’t. You should obey your owner and believe what you’re told. But the question posed to you was, why should we? ---
**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, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4608 "2017-05-16T02:59:04Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You really are an incredibly gullible little cretin. Yeah, this. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4609 "2017-05-16T03:09:18Z")
I’m putting it out their first: the Post’s source is the Russians. Because why the fuck not? ---
**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, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4610 "2017-05-16T03:23:00Z")
> [@digs](#): > > What does that have to do with Trump’s meeting, his intel slips, or the OP or the subject of this thread? She provides a good target for the right to point to on everything. At this point in the game, all she does is hurt the Democrats and America by continuing to try and stay relevant. She should go away, so that the only person around to blame for shit is the man who is really to blame for the shit. ---
**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, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4611 "2017-05-16T03:25:53Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Can you explain the difference, in terms of weaselling, between “the story as reported” and “the story”? “The story as reported is false” indicates that the story is true in a way that hasn’t been reported. ---
**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, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4612 "2017-05-16T03:27:11Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I’m putting it out their first: the Post’s source is the Russians. > > Because why the fuck not? Why kill the goose that lays the golden egg? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4613 "2017-05-16T03:28:32Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > “The story as reported is false” indicates that the story is true in a way that hasn’t been reported. Or that it is, by and large, true, apart from a minor detail or two. Again, weasely. ---
**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, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4614 "2017-05-16T03:32:02Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I am not sure why I should believe the story coming from the Trump Derangement Syndrome anonymous sources when the National Security Advisor, the Deputy National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State, who were eyewitnesses to the event, say unequivocally, in those words, that “the story is false”. Just remember, kids, you should never trust anyone who cites unnamed sources. [Unless they’re telling you that the president’s birth certificate is a forgery.](https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/232572505238433794?lang=en) ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4615 "2017-05-16T03:37:26Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I am not sure why I should believe the story coming from the Trump Derangement Syndrome anonymous sources when the National Security Advisor, the Deputy National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State, who were eyewitnesses to the event, say unequivocally, in those words, that “the story is false”. > > See my leftist conspiracy theory thread. The left has jumped the shark. The noted “leftist” site, LawFareBlog has a [piece](https://www.lawfareblog.com/bombshell-initial-thoughts-washington-posts-game-changing-story) worth reading - it points out important points about the denials. ---
**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, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4616 "2017-05-16T03:45:10Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > The noted “leftist” site, LawFareBlog has a [piece](https://www.lawfareblog.com/bombshell-initial-thoughts-washington-posts-game-changing-story) worth reading - it points out important points about the denials. Well written piece. Highly recommended. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4617 "2017-05-16T03:59:50Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Can you explain the difference, in terms of weaselling, between “the story as reported” and “the story”? Obviously “The story as reported is false” means there are errors in the reporting. It’s not a denial of the whole story, it’s just saying the reporting isn’t 100% correct. > [@](#): > > But if you prefer, Dina Powell - the also-present-at-the-meeting Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy said: “This story is false.” So we have 2 people who chose to give very careful, limited denials (Tillerson and McMaster). And one who gave an outright denial. If the story is completely false, why didn’t they all deny it? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4618 "2017-05-16T04:03:30Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I am not sure why I should believe the story coming from the Trump Derangement Syndrome anonymous sources when the National Security Advisor, the Deputy National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State, who were eyewitnesses to the event, say unequivocally, in those words, that “the story is false”. > > See my leftist conspiracy theory thread. The left has jumped the shark. 1. The story, as reported, cites “current and former U. S. officials”, and apparently has been independently confirmed by the New York Times and Reuters. Your characterization of the sources as suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome " so far has no basis in fact. 2. McMaster’s statement, is the furthest thing from “unequivocal”, being specifically qualified as referring to the accidental release by Trump of “sources and methods”, which the story never claimed was the case. 3. Read the article referenced in Post #4615. Either you don’t really know what you are talking about, or you are simply propagandizing for Trump, for whatever reason you feel the need to do so. ---
**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, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4619 "2017-05-16T04:04:07Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Obviously “The story as reported is false” means there are errors in the reporting. It’s not a denial of the whole story, it’s just saying the reporting isn’t 100% correct. > So we have 2 people who chose to give very careful, limited denials (Tillerson and McMaster). And one who gave an outright denial. If the story is completely false, why didn’t they all deny it? Trying to cover all the bases. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4620 "2017-05-16T04:04:50Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > But… her EMAILS! Well - yes. To the best of our knowledge, he did not email classified information to another person so that a foreign government could hack into it. He skipped the middleman and just told the foreign government… That’s totally different. And way more efficient! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=230) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=232)