# 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:** 449
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8964 "2017-07-31T16:00:37Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Here’s the second-most irritating thing about that statement: when someone’s been dead for 150 years, I think it’s OK to drop the “late” when describing him. We can safely assume everyone has gotten the word that Lincoln belongs to the ages now. Trump’s heard Abe is doing great things. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8965 "2017-07-31T16:05:05Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I donno. I doubt that he has the capability of introspection. > > I think he’s just a dumb fuck. I think he is horribly insecure, which is why you have all the bluster and bragging and tough talk. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8966 "2017-07-31T16:07:13Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > I’m wondering if a sex tape would actually damage Trump at all. Because I do believe that most of his minions think that the Trumpster is and has been quite willing to exercise his considerable libido with any willing woman, and are fine with that aspect of his personality. I think that the prostitutes would have to be clearly underage to really have the maximum “outrage effect”. Or perhaps if he could be seen forcing himself upon an unwilling woman. > > Does any one else agree with me? It would hurt him with his derplorable supporters if, and only if, it showed him in an “unmanly” light. A video of him watching hookers engaged in weirdo watersport play rather than shtupping them like a Real Man might have that effect. (On that note, the wording of a recent Peggy Noonan column, and Mika Brzezinski’s emphasis of key words when [reading it on the air](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooWFFU-sFHI), was clearly designed with malice aforethought in that regard.) ---
**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:** [July 31, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8967 "2017-07-31T16:11:20Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > My far out Alex Jones-type conspiracy theory is the Russians may have something showing incest between Trump and Ivanka. I mean, what could possibly shame Trump? > > Even if it were proven that he is beholden to the Russian oligarchs–and by extension, Putin–financially, Trump would probably spin it as an example of his business genius at finding sources of “alternative financing”: > > “Hey, if the Russians want to loan me money, I’d be stupid not to take it. That makes me tremendously smart. Believe me, nobody know more about taking money than I do…and Hillary’s emails.” > > Might be the one thing that doesn’t play with his base. That might actually give the trump family pause - simply because Ivanka would be hit hard by such a revelation, and she might exert some sort of influence to keep it hidden. Even if a tape existed that was merely shapely blonde hookers that he then calls Ivanka…would that be enough to embarrass the family? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8968 "2017-07-31T16:11:31Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > It would hurt him with his derplorable supporters if, and only if, it showed him in an “unmanly” light. A video of him watching hookers engaged in weirdo watersport play rather than shtupping them like a Real Man might have that effect. If 5% are disgusted, it is more than enough to turn the election (assuming he’s still around in 2020). His hard core supporters wouldn’t care if he shot someone on 5th Avenue. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8969 "2017-07-31T16:30:00Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I think he is horribly insecure, which is why you have all the bluster and bragging and tough talk. I really think this bullshit is more attributable to his lifelong career as a huckster than to his insecurity. I agree that he is insecure, but quote you linked to strikes me as the huckster trying to sell his claim, not using evidence, but through empty repetition. It goes hand-in-hand with his overselling of everything. Check out his [remarks to the press](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/31/john-kelly-sworn-in-chief-of-staff-241166?lo=ap_b1) after General Kelly was sworn in as chief of staff. [QUOTE=The snake oil salesman in chief] Kelly “will do a spectacular job” as White House chief of staff, President Donald Trump said Monday after swearing in the retired Marine Corps general. What he’s done in terms of homeland security is record-shattering.” Trump congratulated Kelly “on having done a fantastic job.” “We look forward to, if it’s possible, an even better job as chief of staff,” he said. Trump said what Kelly has done at Homeland Security “has been nothing short of miraculous” and expressed “no doubt that he will be an absolutely superb chief of staff.” “I predict that Gen. Kelly will go down in terms of the position of chief of staff [as] one of the great[est] ever,” Trump said. [/QUOTE] ---
**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:** [July 31, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8970 "2017-07-31T16:31:18Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > If 5% are disgusted, it is more than enough to turn the election (assuming he’s still around in 2020). His hard core supporters wouldn’t care if he shot someone on 5th Avenue. The parallels between Trump and former Italian PM [Silvio Berlusconi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvio_Berlusconi) are fascinating (well, to me at least). Although serving a temporary ban from public office, Berlusconi seems to still be a political power despite convictions on tax fraud and morals violations, including conviction (and later acquittal) on a charge of sex with an underaged prostitute. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8971 "2017-07-31T16:56:45Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Trump’s heard Abe is doing great things. Maybe Trump should have a face to face with Abe to get some pointers on how to handle things? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8972 "2017-07-31T17:01:32Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Maybe Trump should have a face to face with Abe to get some pointers on how to handle things? “Go see a play…” ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8973 "2017-07-31T17:06:47Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > The world today is looking more and more like the world of 1910. We’re heading toward a massive global political crisis and we have absolutely the worst person imaginable dealing with this situation. Trump reminds me of Kaiser Wilhelm ☹ ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8974 "2017-07-31T17:07:52Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > I really think this bullshit is more attributable to his lifelong career as a huckster than to his insecurity. I agree that he is insecure, but quote you linked to strikes me as the huckster trying to sell his claim, not using evidence, but through empty repetition. > > It goes hand-in-hand with his overselling of everything. Check out his [remarks to the press](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/31/john-kelly-sworn-in-chief-of-staff-241166?lo=ap_b1) after General Kelly was sworn in as chief of staff. > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by The snake oil salesman in chief > Kelly “will do a spectacular job” as White House chief of staff, President Donald Trump said Monday after swearing in the retired Marine Corps general. > > What he’s done in terms of homeland security is record-shattering.” > Trump congratulated Kelly “on having done a fantastic job.” > > “We look forward to, if it’s possible, an even better job as chief of staff,” he said. > > Trump said what Kelly has done at Homeland Security “has been nothing short of miraculous” and expressed “no doubt that he will be an absolutely superb chief of staff.” > > “I predict that Gen. Kelly will go down in terms of the position of chief of staff [as] one of the great[est] ever,” Trump said. He goes on to list all of his amazing successes, pretty much all of which belong to the previous administration. The suckers also known as Trump voters eat this shit up. [QUOTE=Lying Piece of Shit] Trump mentioned some of his achievements after welcoming Kelly, including the booming stock market, low unemployment and business confidence… [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8975 "2017-07-31T17:49:28Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > I’m wondering if a sex tape would actually damage Trump at all. Because I do believe that most of his minions think that the Trumpster is and has been quite willing to exercise his considerable libido with any willing woman, and are fine with that aspect of his personality. I think that the prostitutes would have to be clearly underage to really have the maximum “outrage effect”. Or perhaps if he could be seen forcing himself upon an unwilling woman. > > Does any one else agree with me? In wondering? Nope. His followers would think that fucking a minor was proof of his masculinity. In order to damage him, the tape would need to be along the lines of him sucking on an 8yo boy’s dick, and if that ever surfaced his followers would say it was photoshopped. See: Berlusconi. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8976 "2017-07-31T18:08:53Z")
> [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > But what about the fallout - escalated two weeks ago - over the the seizure of two Russian diplomatic compounds? Surely that got the current ball rolling with Putin’s wish to retaliate, realising преЦАРдент Trump may not be quite as obsequious as he’d hoped in relinquishing the compounds? I thought Trump was _giving back_ former Russian properties that the Obama administration had confiscated? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8977 "2017-07-31T18:10:07Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I have a question. > > Did the U.S. recently pass any new sanctions against Russia? The only thing I’ve seen recently was that Congress passed a bill that limited Trump’s ability to lift existing sanctions. If that’s the case, why would Putin choose to retaliate now? Nothing has really changed in terms of our relations with Russia; the status quo is more entrenched than ever. I just wonder if Putin expected sanctions to be lifted, and was angry to discover that they wouldn’t be. Because he expected his boys - Trump, Tillerson etc to lift all the sanctions. He wants the giant oil deal Tillerson wants. Billons (or trillions?) of dollars, to finance his adventures in Ukraine and to shore up a faltering Russian economy. He wants his own personal money freed up to the tune of approx. 200 billion dollars. When Putin and his people were financing and bailing out Trump’s incredibly stupid bizniz “efforts” and “land deals”, and hacking our voter registrations, and flooding us with pro-Trump and anti-Clinton propaganda, (and being helped by our own “both siderist” and alt-right media by the way) it was all for installation of Trump as SCROTUS and the lifting of the sanctions. These sanctions are hurting Russia and are hurting Putin himself. His boys in the White House were hired to fix it. Putin is acting now, because Congress told him to go get stuffed and he’s tired of waiting on the SCROTUS. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8978 "2017-07-31T18:10:29Z")
Trump fans love a winner. For them to dump Trump, Trump would have to be caught on tape propositioning a teenage girl and _being turned down_. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8979 "2017-07-31T18:11:15Z")
Maybe that’s what Tiffany has on him. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8980 "2017-07-31T18:12:20Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Because he expected his boys - Trump, Tillerson etc to lift all the sanctions. > > He wants the giant oil deal Tillerson wants. Billons (or trillions?) of dollars, to finance his adventures in Ukraine and to shore up a faltering Russian economy. He wants his own personal money freed up to the tune of approx. 200 billion dollars. > > When Putin and his people were financing and bailing out Trump’s incredibly stupid bizniz “efforts” and “land deals”, and hacking our voter registrations, and flooding us with pro-Trump and anti-Clinton propaganda, (and being helped by our own “both siderist” and alt-right media by the way) it was all for installation of Trump as SCROTUS and the lifting of the sanctions. > > These sanctions are hurting Russia and are hurting Putin himself. His boys in the White House were hired to fix it. > > Putin is acting now, because Congress told him to go get stuffed and he’s tired of waiting on the SCROTUS. Who would have thought keeping Trump under control could be so hard? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8981 "2017-07-31T18:12:54Z")
> [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > But what about the fallout - escalated two weeks ago - over the the seizure of two Russian diplomatic compounds? Surely that got the current ball rolling with Putin’s wish to retaliate, realising преЦАРдент Trump may not be quite as obsequious as he’d hoped in relinquishing the compounds? I think bulldozing and burning them would send a wonderful F U message to Putin. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8982 "2017-07-31T18:19:20Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Trump reminds me of Kaiser Wilhelm ☹ I had exactly the same thought. Similar kind of crazy paired with megalomania and hybris. I wonder how Trump looks with a pickelhaube. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/8983 "2017-07-31T18:32:05Z")
> [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > But what about the fallout - escalated two weeks ago - over the the seizure of two Russian diplomatic compounds? Surely that got the current ball rolling with Putin’s wish to retaliate, realising преЦАРдент Trump may not be quite as obsequious as he’d hoped in relinquishing the compounds? That’s kinda my question; the compounds were seized months ago, in what way was it escalated two weeks ago? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=448) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=450)