# 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:** 599
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11964 "2017-10-06T21:32:33Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > He is a Republican President. He is also going to be in power for at least 4 years. He may not be beneficial to the Republican brand in some Republicans’ eyes, but any moves against him by Republicans, especially ones that end in “peachment” or have anything to do with the 25th amendment will not just be not-beneficial - they will utterly destroy the Republican party, now and in the future. I know you’d like that, but Republicans usually don’t regard this as something desirable. There is no “Republicans” in the sense you imply: that of a cohesive, ideologically-unified party. The uneasy coalition between the white-supremacist, hatemongering Trumpist wing, and the traditional fiscal-conservatism wing, has been exposed as untenable. Humpty-Dumpty can’t be put back together again. Trump’s legacy will be the end of the Republican party and the creation of two new parties (one of which, possibly, might try to retain the ‘Republican’ name). ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11965 "2017-10-06T21:33:53Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I’m surprised he likes survivors who were shot. Winners don’t get shot, or something ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11966 "2017-10-06T21:35:00Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz: [Is Trump Really a ‘Moron,’ as Tillerson Said, or Just Racist and Obnoxious?](https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-1.815879) It IS possible to be ll 3 at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11967 "2017-10-06T21:39:39Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > In Puerto Rico, Trump offhandedly said that the federal government would be wiping out Puerto Rico’s debt. Today Budget Director Mulvaney said, “Not so much.” > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/10/04/mulvaney-quickly-walks-back-trump-vow-to-wipe-out-puerto-rico-debt/?utm\_term=.8597e9348a7c&wprss=rss\_social-postbusinessonly](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/10/04/mulvaney-quickly-walks-back-trump-vow-to-wipe-out-puerto-rico-debt/?utm_term=.8597e9348a7c&wprss=rss_social-postbusinessonly) > [@SteveG1](#): > > It was a “throw away” phrase. > A way to fuck with people. A way to bully them and be as spiteful as possible. > You hint that you might help or do something for them, and then don’t do it. > … Although no one would be surprised at the concept of Trump doing just that (making a false promise in order to torment people), we shouldn’t be too quick to assume there was no other reason behind the ‘wipe out the debt’ comment: > [@](#): > > Puerto Rican bonds took a huge hit on Wednesday following President Donald Trump’s comments on the island’s massive debt. > > The island’s general obligation bonds, which yield 8 percent, dropped to just 37 cents on the dollar. … > Municipal bond insurers with exposure to Puerto Rico’s debt also saw their stocks fall. Shares of MBIA, Ambac Financial and Assured Guaranty declined 8.4 percent, 5.5 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively. [Puerto Rico bonds plunge after Trump pledge to wipe out debt](https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/04/puerto-rico-bonds-plunge-to-34-cents-on-dollar-after-trump-pledge-to-wipe-out-debt.html) This needs to be examined. Who bought up bonds at the much-lowered price? Who traded in shares of the affected bond insurers? Who profited from Trump’s little ‘random’ remark? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11968 "2017-10-06T21:40:48Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > There is no “Republicans” in the sense you imply: that of a cohesive, ideologically-unified party. The uneasy coalition between the white-supremacist, hatemongering Trumpist wing, and the traditional fiscal-conservatism wing, has been exposed as untenable. > > Humpty-Dumpty can’t be put back together again. Trump’s legacy will be the end of the Republican party and the creation of two new parties (one of which, possibly, might try to retain the ‘Republican’ name). I hope they go the way of the Whigs and the Know Nothings. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11969 "2017-10-06T21:42:40Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > This needs to be examined. Who bought up bonds at the much-lowered price? Who traded in shares of the affected bond insurers? > > Who profited from Trump’s little ‘random’ remark? If I were to be a “follow the money” type, I’d be looking REAL close at Trump, Trump’s family and his cronies. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11970 "2017-10-06T21:43:42Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I hope they go the way of the Whigs and the Know Nothings. They ARE the Know-Nothings. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11971 "2017-10-06T21:45:15Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I hope they go the way of the Whigs and the Know Nothings. Come to think of it, “Know Nothings” might be an attractive revival (as a name, at least) to many of the Trump wing. They certainly take pride in their own ignorance… ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11972 "2017-10-06T21:50:04Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > If I were to be a “follow the money” type, I’d be looking REAL close at Trump, Trump’s family and his cronies. I hope someone is doing so, with regard to the Puerto Rico remark as well as all the rest of it. So far the only reporting I’m seeing is ‘a president doesn’t have the power to wipe out debt’ and ‘Trump Administration officials try to walk back the president’s remarks’ stories. But it’s definitely one to keep an eye on. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11973 "2017-10-06T23:58:15Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I hope they go the way of the Whigs and the Know Nothings. The Wig and the Know Nothings? ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11974 "2017-10-07T00:09:04Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > The Wig and the Know Nothings? And he could get [Sgt. Schultz](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmzsWxPLIOo) as his press secretary. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11975 "2017-10-07T00:22:04Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Come to think of it, “Know Nothings” might be an attractive revival (as a name, at least) to many of the Trump wing. They certainly take pride in their own ignorance… The Trumpians are already a revival of the Know Nothings, although their religious focus has shifted from Catholics to Muslims. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11976 "2017-10-07T00:46:44Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > This needs to be examined. Who bought up bonds at the much-lowered price? Who traded in shares of the affected bond insurers? > > Who profited from Trump’s little ‘random’ remark? Why in the world would this need to be investigated?? We don’t know if they profited or not. If the debts are actually forgiven and the debts wiped clean, the bond holders very well may end up getting nothing. They’re taking the extra risk (higher yield) because they think the risk/reward profile is worth it. You do realize that’s why the yields jumped, right? Ditto the shares. I don’t specifically know the companies in question, but I’m guessing they insure the bonds in question. They’d take losses if the debts were wiped out. Now, if this was a report of someone shorting the shares early, or selling the bonds early before prices fell, as possible evidence of front-running or something, you might have a ghost of a point. But investors pricing in new information is exactly what investors are supposed to do. And by investors, I mean the guys running your mutual funds, your 401(k) etc. Saying this ‘needs to be investigated’ is beyond stupid. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11977 "2017-10-07T00:58:54Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > Why in the world would this need to be investigated?? > > We don’t know if they profited or not. If the debts are actually forgiven and the debts wiped clean, the bond holders very well may end up getting nothing. > They’re taking the extra risk (higher yield) because they think the risk/reward profile is worth it. > > You do realize that’s why the yields jumped, right? > > Ditto the shares. I don’t specifically know the companies in question, but I’m guessing they insure the bonds in question. > They’d take losses if the debts were wiped out. > > Now, if this was a report of someone shorting the shares early, or selling the bonds early before prices fell, as possible evidence of front-running or something, you might have a ghost of a point. > > But investors pricing in new information is exactly what investors are supposed to do. And by investors, I mean the guys running your mutual funds, your 401(k) etc. > > Saying this ‘needs to be investigated’ is beyond stupid. Isn’t there a financial tool or w/e you call it that let’s someone make money by betting that a stock or other similarly tradable commodity is going to drop in price? Shorting or some such? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11978 "2017-10-07T01:37:32Z")
> [@PatriotX](#): > > Isn’t there a financial tool or w/e you call it that let’s someone make money by betting that a stock or other similarly tradable commodity is going to drop in price? > Shorting or some such? It was mentioned in the post you quoted. And yes, possible front-running (insider trading) should be investigated, but that happens before the announcement, not after. If prices and trading volume were stable after the hurricane but before the announcement, it is likely it didn’t occur. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11979 "2017-10-07T02:42:43Z")
Trump is disgusting. Here he is using a really bad, phony Spanish accent. [http://time.com/4972883/donald-trump-puerto-rico-spanish-accent/](http://time.com/4972883/donald-trump-puerto-rico-spanish-accent/) ---
**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:** [October 7, 2017, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11980 "2017-10-07T03:25:55Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Trump is disgusting. Here he is using a really bad, phony Spanish accent. > [http://time.com/4972883/donald-trump-puerto-rico-spanish-accent/](http://time.com/4972883/donald-trump-puerto-rico-spanish-accent/) “Sir, before you go out and address the room, here’s the correct pronunciation of Puerto Rico. Might be a nice gesture for Hispanic Herit–” “Oh, you’re gonna tell me, Hector? You’re name’s Hector, right? Am I pronouncing that? Hec-TOR? Or is it a Hake-TAR?” “My name’s Tom.” “Hake-TAR, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but I spent some time down there with the Spaniards recently. I can pronounce it just fine. Pu-_hay_-to Reek-O! Pu-_hay_-to Reek-O! The Spaniards love me. This crowd should get a kick out of this.” ---
**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:** [October 7, 2017, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11981 "2017-10-07T05:13:27Z")
He sounds like Senor Wences. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2017, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11982 "2017-10-07T05:33:49Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > He sounds like Senor Wences. It’s alright. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11983 "2017-10-07T12:29:30Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Rumor goes like this: Kelly was supposed to go to Vegas on AF1 with Trump, was booted off flight at last minute. Ergo, Trump is mad and Kelly has had it. I’ve wondered if all this talk of Kelly wanting out has something to do with the report of his cell phone being compromised. Maybe Trump uses that as to suggest that he’s given away too much confidential info and needs to be pushed out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=598) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=600)