# 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:** 321
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6402 "2017-06-10T12:31:49Z")
Considering how many detractors are American, one could be concerned about an American president delighting so in sowing chaos and confusion among those he is supposed to be leading and serving. If one were so inclined, that is. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6403 "2017-06-10T12:49:48Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > … among his detractors. [His base is just fine with it?](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/536fe5e54f7bfb31fb696cddf8c668df60ae4a58/c=8-0-2393-1793&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2016/11/02/Pensacola/Pensacola/636137012566574208-2013.09.02.trumpwall.jpg) \*as published in “The Pensacola News Journal” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6404 "2017-06-10T12:57:08Z")
“There is great disorder under the heavens and the situation is excellent.” - Mao Zedong ---
**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 10, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6405 "2017-06-10T14:22:07Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Aside: How long is o’s trolling going to be permitted? All that is required is self-control from the peanut gallery. He will keep posting as long as he gets someone to reply. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6406 "2017-06-10T14:59:10Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > Wouldn’t the next question then be “What did Mr. Comey say that you believed would make him hope your conversation wasn’t being recorded, Trump?” > > And I do hope whoever is questioning him does refer to him simply as ‘Trump’. Wonder what the legality is of recording a conversation without the other person knowing. I think that varies from state to state. But in DC? It’s such a weird threat. Something that would be made by a 10yo in a “I know you are but what am I” way. Not only should they subpoena the “tapes” (which almost certainly don’t exist). They should subpoena his tax returns. Those exist. The IRS has them (perhaps an assumption on my part). Hey, they got Al Capone on tax evasion of all things. His so called paper work that he presented at a press conference as “proof” that he is/has divested his business interests should also be subpoenaed (those also don’t exist). ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6407 "2017-06-10T15:30:50Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > … or - there are no tapes, but he wouldn’t confirm it because he wants the media (and the Congress) all riled up about that, among other things. > > It’s been more than a year and anti-Trumpers, both on the left and on the right, still haven’t learned that the man thrives on chaos and confusion and loves to sow it among his detractors. As his “detractor” are those who wish for a stable and prosperous country, counter to his wishes of putting his own interests above those whom he was elected to serve, I have one question to ask you. Why do you hate America so very, very, much? ---
**Author:** ![ganthet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de0a6/32.png) [@ganthet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ganthet)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6408 "2017-06-10T15:48:25Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Wonder what the legality is of recording a conversation without the other person knowing. I think that varies from state to state. But in DC? DC allows for [one-party consent](http://dccode.org/browser/#/23/23-542). This was a (somewhat minor) deal in the Lewinsky scandal since Maryland law required two party/multi-party consent to recorded conversations and Linda Tripp recorded her telephone conversations with Lewinsky while Linda Tripp was at her home in Maryland. Tripp was criminally indicted but Maryland prosecutors ultimately chose to drop the case after some adverse rulings against them. ---
**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:** [June 10, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6409 "2017-06-10T16:46:32Z")
Trump [continues to be coy](http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-06-09/trump-hints-he-has-tapes-comey-youre-going-be-very-disappointed-dont-worry) about the existence of tapes > [@](#): > > ``` > Reporter: "And you seem to be hinting that there are recordings of those conversations." > > Trump: "I'm not hinting anything. I'll tell you about it over a very short period of time....Oh, you're going to be very disappointed when you hear the answer. Don't worry." > > ``` My take, he’s stalling for time trying to se whether he can edit existing tapes to remove the incriminating bits, or hire a voice actor who sounds like Comey to create his own. ---
**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 10, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6410 "2017-06-10T16:47:53Z")
He’s just playing Reality Show again. Stay tuned for next week’s developments! ---
**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 10, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6411 "2017-06-10T16:58:44Z")
[By the numbers](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo), so far [ul][li]peak popularity about a week into the term (47.8%)[/li][li]about a week later disapproval quickly rises past approval[/li][li]after less than a month, disapproval crosses 50% for good[/li][li]approval has not been above lowest disapproval for nearly a month[/li][li]above Bill Clinton’s nadir spike for about a week; now diverging[/li][/ul] Currently @ 38%: how low is the bare metal, where only the die-hardiest of the diehards support the bottom-feeder? ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6412 "2017-06-10T17:21:05Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > [By the numbers](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo), so far > [ul][li]peak popularity about a week into the term (47.8%)[/li][li]about a week later disapproval quickly rises past approval[/li][li]after less than a month, disapproval crosses 50% for good[/li][li]approval has not been above lowest disapproval for nearly a month[/li][li]above Bill Clinton’s nadir spike for about a week; now diverging[/li][/ul] > Currently @ 38%: how low is the bare metal, where only the die-hardiest of the diehards support the bottom-feeder? I’d say about 31-32%. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6413 "2017-06-10T17:31:07Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Trump [continues to be coy](http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-06-09/trump-hints-he-has-tapes-comey-youre-going-be-very-disappointed-dont-worry) about the existence of tapes > > My take, he’s stalling for time trying to se whether he can edit existing tapes to remove the incriminating bits, or hire a voice actor who sounds like Comey to create his own. Comey could do the same. He could get Trevor Noah to do trump’s lines. ---
**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 10, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6414 "2017-06-10T17:43:38Z")
Trump does lines? Colombian? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6415 "2017-06-10T17:59:55Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > Considering how many detractors are American, one could be concerned about an American president delighting so in sowing chaos and confusion among those he is supposed to be leading and serving. > > If one were so inclined, that is. Leading and serving? We’re talking about the modern Republican Party. Leading and serving means leading to slaughter and serving up on a platter. Not literally of course. I’m not accusing anyone of cannabalism, but certainly financially, emotionally, and intellectually. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6416 "2017-06-10T18:03:06Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Trump [continues to be coy](http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-06-09/trump-hints-he-has-tapes-comey-youre-going-be-very-disappointed-dont-worry) about the existence of tapes > > My take, he’s stalling for time trying to se whether he can edit existing tapes to remove the incriminating bits, or hire a voice actor who sounds like Comey to create his own. I love how Mr. Trump doesn’t understand that he’s screwed either way. If there are recordings, they likely (IMO) back up what Dir. Comey has told us. Mr. Trump is then seen as having used the existence of the recordings to threaten Dir. Comey, which could be an obstruction of justice. If they don’t back up what Dir. Comey said, the existence of recordings and the practice of recording people in the White House will be troublesome, as it recalls Nixon and a host of unpleasant memes. If there are no recordings, Mr. Trump clearly was threatening Dir. Comey, which could be an obstruction of justice. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6417 "2017-06-10T18:05:12Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > [By the numbers](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo), so far > [ul][li]peak popularity about a week into the term (47.8%)[/li][li]about a week later disapproval quickly rises past approval[/li][li]after less than a month, disapproval crosses 50% for good[/li][li]approval has not been above lowest disapproval for nearly a month[/li][li]above Bill Clinton’s nadir spike for about a week; now diverging[/li][/ul] > Currently @ 38%: how low is the bare metal, where only the die-hardiest of the diehards support the bottom-feeder? > [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > I’d say about 31-32%. I say [27%](http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Crazification_factor). ---
**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:** [June 10, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6418 "2017-06-10T18:12:04Z")
Trump held a joint press conference with the President of Romania yesterday. A Romanian reporter asked if they had discussed immigration. Both answered simultaneously, the Romanian President saying “yes”, Trump saying “no.” > [@](#): > > REPORTER: “Thank you. Mr. President, were there any discussion about the Visa Waiver Program for Romania? Is there a time frame for including our country in this program? Thank you.” TRUMP: “We didn’t discuss it --” IOHANNIS: “Yes --” TRUMP: “We didn’t discuss it. But there would be certainly – it would be something we will discuss. Mr. President.” IOHANNIS: “I mentioned this issue, and I also mentioned it during other meetings I had, because this is important for us, it’s important for Romanians who want to come to the United States. And you see more and more people come, President Trump, from Romania to the United States. Some come as tourists. Some come for business. And those who come for business should be encouraged.” [http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2017/06/10/trump-to-rollback-some-of-obamas-cuba-policies-first-in-playbook-kellyanne-complains-about-west-wing-colleagues-remembering-zbig-brzezinski-ashcroft-hired-by-qatar-katy-tur-profile-bday-zeleny-220767](http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2017/06/10/trump-to-rollback-some-of-obamas-cuba-policies-first-in-playbook-kellyanne-complains-about-west-wing-colleagues-remembering-zbig-brzezinski-ashcroft-hired-by-qatar-katy-tur-profile-bday-zeleny-220767) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6419 "2017-06-10T18:23:50Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Trump held a joint press conference with the President of Romania yesterday. A Romanian reporter asked if they had discussed immigration. Both answered simultaneously, the Romanian President saying “yes”, Trump saying “no.” > > [http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2017/06/10/trump-to-rollback-some-of-obamas-cuba-policies-first-in-playbook-kellyanne-complains-about-west-wing-colleagues-remembering-zbig-brzezinski-ashcroft-hired-by-qatar-katy-tur-profile-bday-zeleny-220767](http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2017/06/10/trump-to-rollback-some-of-obamas-cuba-policies-first-in-playbook-kellyanne-complains-about-west-wing-colleagues-remembering-zbig-brzezinski-ashcroft-hired-by-qatar-katy-tur-profile-bday-zeleny-220767) [Here’s the video](https://youtu.be/tPQBU-qcXCM?t=20m20s). 1. The question wasn’t directed at Mr. Trump, so that was protocol breach by interrupting and talking over President Ioannis. 2. President Ioannis immediately and directly contradicted Mr. Trump, showing everyone AGAIN that Mr. Trump is an inveterate liar. \ ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6420 "2017-06-10T18:28:17Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Trump held a joint press conference with the President of Romania yesterday. A Romanian reporter asked if they had discussed immigration. Both answered simultaneously, the Romanian President saying “yes”, Trump saying “no.” > > [http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2017/06/10/trump-to-rollback-some-of-obamas-cuba-policies-first-in-playbook-kellyanne-complains-about-west-wing-colleagues-remembering-zbig-brzezinski-ashcroft-hired-by-qatar-katy-tur-profile-bday-zeleny-220767](http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2017/06/10/trump-to-rollback-some-of-obamas-cuba-policies-first-in-playbook-kellyanne-complains-about-west-wing-colleagues-remembering-zbig-brzezinski-ashcroft-hired-by-qatar-katy-tur-profile-bday-zeleny-220767) I was listening to the interview on NPR yesterday on my way to a job, and it immediately jumped out to me as an odd exchange. ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6421 "2017-06-10T18:33:17Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [url=[https://youtu.be/tPQBU-qcXCM?t=20m20s](https://youtu.be/tPQBU-qcXCM?t=20m20s)] > > \ That actually seems like a pretty accurate autocorrect to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=320) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=322)