# 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:** 237
**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, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4721 "2017-05-16T17:22:11Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Pardon me for not swallowing everything coming out of this administration. I see the talking points have evolved from “McMaster et al are not denying Trump’s crimes” to “McMaster et al are lying to cover it up”. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4722 "2017-05-16T17:24:29Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I see the talking points have evolved from “McMaster et al are not denying Trump’s crimes” to “McMaster et al are lying to cover it up”. Different people focus on different things. McMaster said one thing last night. He was contradicted in the wee hours of the morning by his boss, and is now trying to spin the entire thing. You’re the donkey pulling the wash barrel in circles. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4723 "2017-05-16T17:26:18Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > As I said. Trump Derangement Syndrome. Makes you see things that are not there. This is probably the 6th or 7th (non-political) site where I’ve seen the term “Trump Derangement Syndrome” used. are you all just reading from a script? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4724 "2017-05-16T17:27:48Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I have. It doesn’t change my opinion. There is nothing in the tweets that says “I improperly revealed classified information” - not unless one is afflicted with the Trump Derangement Syndrome. As many on this board obviously are. I want you to step back. Don’t imagine that Clinton or Obama did this. Imagine, instead, a _movie_ where these things happened. Where the president was under investigation for improper connections to Russia, fired the person investigating him, then the very next day gave classified information to Russia. Imagine it’s not reality, but just a media portrayal of republicans. Would you enjoy that movie? Or would you be upset because it’s an unfairly negative and biased portrayal of republicans? > [@Okrahoma](#): > > I see. So “anonymous sources” say it was inappropriate. The National Security Advisor, Secretary of State and the Deputy National Security advisor who were present say it was appropriate. > > You go with “anonymous sources”. Of course. Well… Yeah. Anonymous sources vetted by known reliable news sources, vs. an administration that coined the phrase “alternative facts”. How is that even a question? The Trump administration as a whole has shown absolutely no interest in honesty or truth. They have been lying to the press since day one. Trump barely even seems to have a coherent idea of what the truth _is_. ---
**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, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4725 "2017-05-16T17:31:26Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Well… Yeah. Anonymous sources vetted by known reliable news sources, vs. an administration that coined the phrase “alternative facts”. How is that even a question? The Trump administration as a whole has shown absolutely no interest in honesty or truth. They have been lying to the press since day one. **Trump barely even seems to have a coherent idea of what the truth _is_.** Trump absolutely knows what “truth” is. How do you think he avoids it so well? ---
**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, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4726 "2017-05-16T17:31:49Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I see the talking points have evolved from “McMaster et al are not denying Trump’s crimes” to “McMaster et al are lying to cover it up”. “Shorter McMaster: 1. It never happened. 2. OK, it happened, but wasn’t a big deal. 3. OK, it was a big deal, but only b/c it leaked to press” [https://twitter.com/TimothyNoah1/status/864522951462457345](https://twitter.com/TimothyNoah1/status/864522951462457345) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4727 "2017-05-16T17:34:36Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > This is probably the 6th or 7th (non-political) site where I’ve seen the term “Trump Derangement Syndrome” used. are you all just reading from a script? the term seems to be making the rounds of the Right-o-sphere: > **[Sean Hannity: Trump Derangement Syndrome grips Dems in wake of Comey firing](https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/sean-hannity-trump-derangement-syndrome-grips-dems-in-wake-of-comey-firing)** > > Deranged, liberal crackpots are at it again. They are using President Trump's very sound decision to fire FBI Director James Comey to push all kinds of bizarre conspiracy theories. [http://nation.foxnews.com/2017/05/16/only-trump-derangement-syndrome-can-explain-calls-impeachment](http://nation.foxnews.com/2017/05/16/only-trump-derangement-syndrome-can-explain-calls-impeachment) > **[Trump Derangement Syndrome](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2016/05/11/trump-derangement-syndrome/)** > > I don’t think I speak for myself alone when I confess utter bewilderment at the number of conservatives – among whom I count long-term friends - who seem to have lost their marbles when assessing the presidential candidacy of Donald Trump. | Politics ---
**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, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4728 "2017-05-16T17:36:02Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > “Shorter McMaster: 1. It never happened. 2. OK, it happened, but wasn’t a big deal. 3. OK, it was a big deal, but only b/c it leaked to press” > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/TimothyNoah1/status/864522951462457345) In what world does: "In the context of that discussion, what the President discussed with the Foreign Minister was wholly appropriate to that conversation and is consistent with the routine sharing of information between the President and any leaders with whom he’s engaged… That conversation was wholly appropriate with what the expectations are of our intelligence partners. … I was in the room. The Secretary of State was in the room, as you know. Dina Powell was in the room. And none of us felt that this conversation was inappropriate." somehow equate to “OK, it was a big deal”? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4729 "2017-05-16T17:39:30Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > This is probably the 6th or 7th (non-political) site where I’ve seen the term “Trump Derangement Syndrome” used. are you all just reading from a script? Calling all criticism of Trump ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ is about the last, pathetic line of defense for Trump’s keyboard human shield association. There is such a thing as TDS, but it is much more fringe than ‘people upset about what Trump admitted doing’. Calling it TDS is indictive of the bankruptcy of Okrahoma’s defenses. TDS would be like saying Trump should be impeached and executed for getting steak well-done & with ketchup without any trace of humor. Obama Dergangement Syndrome would be Birtherism, like what our President subscribes to. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4730 "2017-05-16T17:41:08Z")
[Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/16/white-house-says-trump-info-sharing-with-russia-wholly-appropriate.html): > [@](#): > > “The national security has been put at risk by those violating confidentiality,” McMaster said. ---
**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, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4731 "2017-05-16T17:45:07Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > This is probably the 6th or 7th (non-political) site where I’ve seen the term “Trump Derangement Syndrome” used. are you all just reading from a script? > [@CalMeacham](#): > > the term seems to be making the rounds of the Right-o-sphere: > > [Sean Hannity: Trump Derangement Syndrome grips Dems in wake of Comey firing | Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/05/11/sean-hannity-trump-derangement-syndrome-grips-dems-in-wake-comey-firing.html) > > [http://nation.foxnews.com/2017/05/16/only-trump-derangement-syndrome-can-explain-calls-impeachment](http://nation.foxnews.com/2017/05/16/only-trump-derangement-syndrome-can-explain-calls-impeachment) > > [http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/05/11/trump-derangement-syndrome/](http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/05/11/trump-derangement-syndrome/) July 8, 2016 [The Return of Clinton Derangement Syndrome](https://newrepublic.com/article/134949/return-clinton-derangement-syndrome) Being devoid of any imagination whatsoever, the Right had to steal the name. At the last second, someone realized they needed to change “Clinton” to “Trump”. ---
**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, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4732 "2017-05-16T17:46:14Z")
NY Times reporting that the source of the intel was Israel. > **[Israel Said to Be Source of Secret Intelligence Trump Gave to Russians...](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/world/middleeast/israel-trump-classified-intelligence-russia.html)** > > The revelation adds a potential diplomatic complication to an episode that has renewed questions about how the White House handles sensitive intelligence. ---
**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, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4733 "2017-05-16T17:47:15Z")
“Derangement syndrome” is from Limbaugh. He was using the phrase in the 1990s ---
**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, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4734 "2017-05-16T17:49:30Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I see the talking points have evolved from “McMaster et al are not denying Trump’s crimes” to “McMaster et al are lying to cover it up”. Because McMaster’s statements have changed to a more thorough denial. As YOU pointed out. ---
**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, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4735 "2017-05-16T17:53:30Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Because McMaster’s statements have changed to a more thorough denial. As YOU pointed out. Of course. McMaster saw that his previous statements were twisted into “he’s not denying it”. So he denied it. Now all the “he was not denying it” is changed into “he’s lying”. Because of course the narrative has to be maintained no matter what. ---
**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, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4736 "2017-05-16T17:55:14Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > “Derangement syndrome” is from Limbaugh. He was using the phrase in the 1990s Who did he steal it from? ---
**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, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4737 "2017-05-16T18:00:42Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Of course. McMaster saw that his previous statements were twisted into “he’s not denying it”. So he denied it. Now all the “he was not denying it” is changed into “he’s lying”. Because of course the narrative has to be maintained no matter what. His original non-denial was consistent with the WaPo story, so there was no reason to doubt it at all. His revised denial contradicts the story which has now been verified by other news agencies, so it is far more dubious. Do you not even follow what is going on? ---
**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, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4738 "2017-05-16T18:04:37Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > His original non-denial was consistent with the WaPo story, so there was no reason to doubt it at all. His revised denial contradicts the story which has now been verified by other news agencies, so it is far more dubious. Do you not even follow what is going on? He explained it, in today’s press conference. WaPo story was about sources being compromised because of Trump’s conversation. McMaster denied that any sources were compromised - yesterday. That was twisted into “he didn’t deny the story”. So he offered a more complete, full, you-can’t-misinterpret-it denial today. After which the leftist talking points immediately changed to “he’s lying”. Go ahead. Hang your Trump hatred on “The National Security Advisor, the Deputy Advisor and the Secretary of State are blatantly lying”. See how far that gets you. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4739 "2017-05-16T18:08:18Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Who did he steal it from? likely from his psych evaluation - ‘Limbuagh is suffering from derangment syndrome’ ---
**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, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/4740 "2017-05-16T18:15:07Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > His original non-denial was consistent with the WaPo story, so there was no reason to doubt it at all. His revised denial contradicts the story which has now been verified by other news agencies, so it is far more dubious. Do you not even follow what is going on? There’s a delay in him getting his talking points from his handlers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=236) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=238)