# 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:** 567
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11324 "2017-09-22T15:12:52Z")
Well, it would save the world from nuclear war if Kim and Trump were put in a playpen together and encouraged to throw blocks and Legos at each other. After that, naps on their mats followed by cookies and milk. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11325 "2017-09-22T15:18:27Z")
Remember 45 saying that Xi Jinping had ordered the Chinese banks to cease all business with DPRK? [China’s foreign ministry spokesman says otherwise.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-tightens-banking-screws-on-north-korea-but-denies-trumps-talk-of-total-ban/2017/09/22/0533a168-9f08-11e7-b2a7-bc70b6f98089_story.html?utm_term=.4c0bc2f4df43) ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11326 "2017-09-22T15:19:42Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Well, it would save the world from nuclear war if Kim and Trump were put in a playpen together and encouraged to throw blocks and Legos at each other. After that, naps on their mats followed by cookies and milk. It’s highly probable that Kim is lactose-intolerant. Are you trying to start a war? 😃 ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11327 "2017-09-22T15:47:23Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Yes. > [http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/351548-trump-speaks-with-mexican-president-after-major-earthquake](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/351548-trump-speaks-with-mexican-president-after-major-earthquake) > [@From link](#): > > Mexican authorities were irked that Trump did not immediately contact Peña Nieto earlier this month after the country suffered an 8.1 magnitude earthquake, the second strongest recorded in its history. > > Trump later blamed the six-day delay on poor cellphone reception in Mexico. So the leader of the wealtiiest and most powerful nation on earth can’t get a hold of his next door neighbor for six days due to lousy cell phone coverage? Isn’t there a land line, a fax, email, carrier pigeon? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11328 "2017-09-22T16:40:45Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Isn’t there a land line, a fax, email, carrier pigeon? To be fair,can you imagine how hard it would be to hold a land line phone with those ity-bity, tiny, little, mutant baby hands? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11329 "2017-09-22T16:46:22Z")
HHS Secretary Tom Price likes private jets. A lot. Especially when taxpayers are footing the bill: > [@](#): > > The cost of the trips identified by POLITICO exceeds $300,000, according to a review of federal contracts and similar trip itineraries. . . . HHS officials have said Price uses private jets only when commercial travel is not feasible. > > But many of the flights are between large cities with frequent, low-cost airline traffic, such as a trip from Washington to Nashville that the secretary took on June 6 . . . . There are four regular nonstop flights that leave Washington-area airports between 6:59 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. and arrive in Nashville by 9:46 a.m. CT. Sample round-trip fares for those flights were as low as $202, when booked in advance on [Orbitz.com](http://Orbitz.com). Price’s charter, according to HHS’ contract with Classic Air Charter, cost $17,760. Only, Dr. Price didn’t used to like private jets. When there was a proposal for the Air Force to replace aging jets that are used for senior government officials, here is what happened: > [@](#): > > Price had a very different outlook on government spending for private planes while serving as a congressman from Georgia. In a 2009 CNBC interview, he criticized House Democrats for trying to spend $550 million on eight passenger jets. > > He said a scaled-back request of $220 million for four jets also went too far. > > “I think we’ve made it halfway of where we ought to and that is cut it from eight to four jets,” Price said at the time. “Now we need to cut it from four jets to zero jets. This is just another example of fiscal irresponsibility run amok in Congress right now.” In all fairness, maybe he thought it was irresponsible for the Air Force to fly private jets; when it should be the US Government using contractors to provide the private jets. Perhaps he can clarify that in coming days. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11330 "2017-09-22T16:49:43Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > HHS Secretary Tom Price likes private jets. A lot. Especially when taxpayers are footing the bill: > Only, Dr. Price didn’t used to like private jets. When there was a proposal for the Air Force to replace aging jets that are used for senior government officials, here is what happened: > > In all fairness, maybe he thought it was irresponsible for the Air Force to fly private jets; when it should be the US Government using contractors to provide the private jets. **Perhaps he can clarify that in coming days**. IOKWARDI. a ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11331 "2017-09-22T17:01:58Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s highly probable that Kim is lactose-intolerant. Are you trying to start a war? > > 😃 Well, Kool-Aid hardly seems an appropriate beverage. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11332 "2017-09-22T17:10:23Z")
I’d like the know when the hell Donald is going to go to Africa on a state visit. Specifically, the capital of Nambia, Covfefe. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11333 "2017-09-22T17:19:55Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s highly probable that Kim is lactose-intolerant. Are you trying to start a war? Kim seems to really like cheese, or whatever the glop is coming out of the machine. [https://www.google.com/search?q=kim+jong+un+cheese+factory&rlz=1C9BKJA\_enUS620US620&oq=kim+jong+un+cheese&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l3.5728j1j4&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=dIDGsJtodK5c9M:](https://www.google.com/search?q=kim+jong+un+cheese+factory&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS620US620&oq=kim+jong+un+cheese&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l3.5728j1j4&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=dIDGsJtodK5c9M:) I heard he was so impressed with it he had one installed in the presidential bedroom. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11334 "2017-09-22T17:25:14Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Kim seems to really like cheese, or whatever the glop is coming out of the machine. > > [kim jong un cheese factory - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?q=kim+jong+un+cheese+factory&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS620US620&oq=kim+jong+un+cheese&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l3.5728j1j4&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=dIDGsJtodK5c9M:) > > I heard he was so impressed with it he had one installed in the presidential bedroom. A lot of cheeses(most?) are lactose free. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11335 "2017-09-22T17:58:06Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > A lot of cheeses(most?) are lactose free. Most of my Asian friends – the ones born in Asia, not in Schenectady-- think cheese is revolting. Not only is it milk from the teat of an animal, it’s produced by some form of…curdling. They have no idea how Westerners figured out how to make it, or would want to eat it. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11336 "2017-09-22T18:07:39Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’d like the know when the hell Donald is going to go to Africa on a state visit. Specifically, the capital of Nambia, Covfefe. I have no problem not mentioning this gaffe of Trump’s… until I hear some dipshit bring up that Obama once said there were 57 states, and then I’m gonna rip somebody a new one. Don’t start nothing, there won’t be nothing; y’all know what I’m sayin’? ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11337 "2017-09-22T18:16:40Z")
> [@Pippers](#): > > That word is the best word. Dotard. It sounds so right when coupled with a pic of his fat, ugly face. Even better, the correct pronunciation is dough-turd. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11338 "2017-09-22T18:22:01Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Most of my Asian friends – the ones born in Asia, not in Schenectady-- think cheese is revolting. Not only is it milk from the teat of an animal, it’s produced by some form of…curdling. 😕 Like tofu is curdled? :smack: ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11339 "2017-09-22T18:28:03Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Most of my Asian friends – the ones born in Asia, not in Schenectady-- think cheese is revolting. Not only is it milk from the teat of an animal, it’s produced by some form of…curdling. They have no idea how Westerners figured out how to make it, or would want to eat it. Cultural Anthropologist Marvin Harris wrote in one of his books that to many Asians, the thought of drinking a glass of milk is as disgusting as the thought of drinking a glass of cow saliva. Of course, being generally lactose intolerant and coming from a culture (consequently) no history of consuming dairy products, that’s not really surprising. But dairy consumption is still big in Asia – it’s virtually essential to Indian cuisine and Himalayan (which uses yak butter). IIRC, it’s thought that cheese was first discovered by people living in central Asia, so “Westerners” needs a lot of latitude in its definition here. It’s thought to have been discovered when someone used a bag made from a stomach to store milk. There was some rennet left in the bag, which caused the milk to curdle and form cheese curds and whey (insert double _Yuck!_ here, if you wish). It was soon discovered that this turned the fast-spoiling milk into potentially long-lasting solid cheese. Humans rapidly develop a taste (if they don’t have one already) for nourishing foodstuffs with the potential for long storage. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11340 "2017-09-22T18:37:20Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I have no problem not mentioning this gaffe of Trump’s… until I hear some dipshit bring up that Obama once said there were 57 states, and then I’m gonna rip somebody a new one. > > Don’t start nothing, there won’t be nothing; y’all know what I’m sayin’? As an extemporaneous comment, sure. I’d be pretty hard pressed to name all the countries in africa (even though I did have to memorize them all for geography in HS, some decades ago [and some have changed since then]) off the top of my head, and if given a list, there may be some I pronounce incorrectly. This was a prepared speech. A speech in front of the leaders and representatives of the governments of which he is speaking. You rehearse those. You ask your aide/wife/chief of staff/teenage son, “Did I pronounce that right?” This doesn’t speak to Trump’s lack of intellect, not directly at least, but to his lack of respect for others. He didn’t have enough respect to bother to run through his speech beforehand in order to make sure that he could pronounce all the words. This is public speaking 101. Rehearse your speech. It’s just sloppy and shows off what low production values that this administration is capable of. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11341 "2017-09-22T18:39:12Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Humans rapidly develop a taste (if they don’t have one already) for nourishing foodstuffs with the potential for long storage. Really, then explain SPAM. 😃 ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11342 "2017-09-22T18:42:25Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > As an extemporaneous comment, sure. I’d be pretty hard pressed to name all the countries in africa (even though I did have to memorize them all for geography in HS, some decades ago [and some have changed since then]) off the top of my head, and if given a list, there may be some I pronounce incorrectly. > > This was a prepared speech. A speech in front of the leaders and representatives of the governments of which he is speaking. You rehearse those. You ask your aide/wife/chief of staff/teenage son, “Did I pronounce that right?” > > This doesn’t speak to Trump’s lack of intellect, not directly at least, but to his lack of respect for others. He didn’t have enough respect to bother to run through his speech beforehand in order to make sure that he could pronounce all the words. > > This is public speaking 101. Rehearse your speech. > > It’s just sloppy and shows off what low production values that this administration is capable of. I don’t disagree at all, brother. I think there’s even more that can be reasonably gleaned from this event, but I won’t harp on it or even mention it if not strictly necessary; there are so many other, more severe offenses that I don’t see any need to wrangle this one mercilessly. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11343 "2017-09-22T19:00:40Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Really, then explain SPAM. 😃 That would take an army. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=566) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=568)