# 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:** 612
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12224 "2017-10-12T15:07:50Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > What the ever living fuck? Tell me that’s not something Duterte or General Amin would say? Trevor Noah was right, ages ago: [![](http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/151002105839-trevor-noah-donald-trump-president-exlarge-169.jpg) ](http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/151002105839-trevor-noah-donald-trump-president-exlarge-169.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12225 "2017-10-12T15:21:18Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > But [America is being respected again](https://www.rawstory.com/2017/10/the-president-loves-to-tease-bemused-anderson-cooper-tries-to-wrap-his-head-around-trumps-cryptic-trucker-speech/)! Mexico called. They’re going to pay for The Wall!! ---
**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:** [October 12, 2017, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12226 "2017-10-12T15:43:20Z")
[Be careful what you say to students](https://www.salon.com/2017/10/10/a-college-professor-criticized-trump-now-the-white-house-wants-an-investigation/) > [@](#): > > “Right when he got elected, I told my classes, three semesters ago, that some of us won’t be affected by this presidency, but others are going to die,” (assistant professor Tessa) Winkelmann said in the video, obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Other people will die because of this.… He’s threatened to declare violence against North Korea and other places. And words, especially if they’re coming from someone who is the president, have consequences. . . I don’t know that these events would have inevitably happened whether or not he got elected, but he has rhetorical powers every president has to encourage or to discourage (violence). So far all he’s done is to encourage violence.” and, of course, > [@](#): > > “It is sad she is teaching students such divisive, inaccurate and irresponsible rhetoric,” (Sarah H.) Sanders said. “She should be ashamed of herself, and the university should look into it. What a terrible example to set for students.” “Divisive, inaccurate and irresponsible”, damn she is projecting hard. ---
**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 12, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12227 "2017-10-12T15:45:13Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Do you think Republicans would be more willing to jump ship if the rest of us solemnly promise to only say, “I told you so” one time? I’m worried that Republicans are thinking “look how bad the government is; next time we need some kind of outsider to shake up the system.” ---
**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:** [October 12, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12228 "2017-10-12T15:51:26Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > [Be careful what you say to students](https://www.salon.com/2017/10/10/a-college-professor-criticized-trump-now-the-white-house-wants-an-investigation/) > > and, of course, > > “Divisive, inaccurate and irresponsible”, damn she is projecting hard. And another instance of a Trump official attempting to meddle with the employment of someone they are politically opposed to. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I’m worried that Republicans are thinking “look how bad the government is; next time we need some kind of outsider to shake up the system.” “We just didn’t go outside _enough_.” ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12229 "2017-10-12T15:59:12Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Do you think Republicans would be more willing to jump ship if the rest of us solemnly promise to only say, “I told you so” one time? We liberals need to understand that **Trump is very popular.** His approval rating isn’t dropping, it’s been steady at around [38% for the past 4 months](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo). His supporters think Trump’s failures are due to obstruction by the Establishment, including Republicans in Congress. Unless Democrats understand this and act accordingly, Republicans will send even more Tea Party / Freedom Caucus types to Congress in 2018. Trump will win re-election in 2020 because Democrats will _once again_ think “Trump is so bad, he’s going to lose for sure” and stay home on election day. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12230 "2017-10-12T16:01:43Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I’m worried that Republicans are thinking “look how bad the government is; next time we need some kind of outsider to shake up the system.” Specifically, “look how bad Congress is.” Which is why in the Alabama Senate primary, Roy Moore beat the establishment opponents (incumbent Luther Strange and Congressman Mo Brooks). Yes, Trump endorsed Luther Strange, but that doesn’t change the fact that Moore was the Trump-like outsider / populist candidate. ---
**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:** [October 12, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12231 "2017-10-12T16:09:59Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I’ve read 6 books on Kim Jong Un and his regime and life in NK. His insanity and completely disregard for improving the living conditions in his country was a bit of a focus of mine. As you will do, I discussed this with my Wife. > > She came home the other day saying “Trump is crazier than Jong Un”. I’m starting to agree. But Trump is just plain stupid too. Kim Jong Un is not. I don’t know about whether Trump is dumber or crazier than Kim. Both have severe Narcissism and are not particularly bright. But if something bad goes down in Korea, it’s much more likely to be Trumps fault for two reasons. First Kim is more knowledgeable about the issues involved, having spent his whole life immersed in it as about to a few of hours of military briefings dialed to to a sixth grade reading level. Also Kim’s life is on the line so he won’t take any reckless chances, while Trump is playing with other peoples lives, and would gladly trade in the lives of a couple of hundred thousand South Koreans if it meant higher ratings for him. Heck, even if Kim did have a ballistic missile capable of hitting the US, it not like California voted for him. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12232 "2017-10-12T16:11:19Z")
> [@Junior\_Spaceman](#): > > We truly live in a world where no matter how much someone is demonstrated to be a hypocrite, it will never make any difference. > > [“Trump laughs and jokes during solemn “Retreat” ceremony honoring flag while on military base”](https://shareblue.com/trump-laughs-and-jokes-during-solemn-retreat-ceremony-honoring-flag-while-on-military-base/) The article states that he was in a hangar at the time. No requirement to stand while in a building. I hate the piece shit, but let’s save our ire for things that deserve it. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12233 "2017-10-12T16:14:18Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > We liberals need to understand that **Trump is very popular.** His approval rating isn’t dropping, it’s been steady at around [38% for the past 4 months](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo). His supporters think Trump’s failures are due to obstruction by the Establishment, including Republicans in Congress. Unless Democrats understand this and act accordingly, Republicans will send even more Tea Party / Freedom Caucus types to Congress in 2018. Trump will win re-election in 2020 because Democrats will _once again_ think “Trump is so bad, he’s going to lose for sure” and stay home on election day. No, it is not holding steady: [https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/10/trumps-approval-ratings-drop-in-every-state.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/10/trumps-approval-ratings-drop-in-every-state.html) [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-support-plummets-rural-areas-small-towns-poll-article-1.3551731](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-support-plummets-rural-areas-small-towns-poll-article-1.3551731) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12234 "2017-10-12T16:21:30Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > …No requirement to stand while in a building… With all due awe and an utter absence of snarkitude…wha? The “requirement”. for starters, and then “building”? Maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t get this, but I don’t get this. I mean, what the Hell can you be inside of that wasn’t built? A cave, I guess, so the nature of correct and respectful display would be totally different in a cave? Maybe its finally happened, and my brains have turned to cheese. I gape, I stare, I don’t get it… ---
**Author:** ![Paranoid\_Randroid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paranoid_randroid/32/18_2.png) [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12235 "2017-10-12T16:24:21Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > We liberals need to understand that **Trump is very popular.** His approval rating isn’t dropping, it’s been steady at around [38% for the past 4 months](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo). I don’t think I can agree; the overall trend is still downward, but with sufficient gradualness that looking only at a few months could be misleading. Further, 38% isn’t anywhere near “very popular”. It’s more popular than he should be, agreed. But it ain’t great. ---
**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:** [October 12, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12236 "2017-10-12T16:29:19Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > We liberals need to understand that **Trump is very popular.** His approval rating isn’t dropping, it’s been steady at around [38% for the past 4 months](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo). His supporters think Trump’s failures are due to obstruction by the Establishment, including Republicans in Congress. Unless Democrats understand this and act accordingly, Republicans will send even more Tea Party / Freedom Caucus types to Congress in 2018. Trump will win re-election in 2020 because Democrats will _once again_ think “Trump is so bad, he’s going to lose for sure” and stay home on election day. > [@Airbeck](#): > > No, it is not holding steady: > > [https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/10/trumps-approval-ratings-drop-in-every-state.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/10/trumps-approval-ratings-drop-in-every-state.html) > > [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-support-plummets-rural-areas-small-towns-poll-article-1.3551731](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-support-plummets-rural-areas-small-towns-poll-article-1.3551731) > **[AP-NORC Poll: Just 24 percent say US heading right direction](https://apnews.com/article/f7d770542f334a218398b2f9b2ae1102)** > > WASHINGTON (AP) — Just 24 percent of Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction after a tumultuous stretch for President Donald Trump that included the threat of war with North Korea, stormy complaints about hurricane relief and... ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12237 "2017-10-12T17:02:56Z")
See, this is what I’m talking about - liberals in denial about Trump’s popularity. This is how liberals will fail to defeat Trump in 2020. Just look at the poll trends. Every time Trump did something horrible and polls dropped slightly, the media cried “Trump popularity dropping in all states!” but the numbers slowly creep back up, until it happens again. His approval rating is still higher than it was in August. And of the people saying the US is heading in the wrong direction, many think the “right” direction is where Trump wants us to go, and Congress is stopping him from achieving his goals. We can’t be complacent. We can’t just sit back and watch Trump self-destruct - because he isn’t, at least not yet. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12238 "2017-10-12T17:08:43Z")
> [@Paranoid\_Randroid](#): > > Further, 38% isn’t anywhere near “very popular”. It’s more popular than he should be, agreed. But it ain’t great. Just before the election, polls showed Trump’s favorability rating at 37%. He still won. Favorability isn’t exactly the same thing as approval, but I think most voters would respond the same to both questions. ---
**Author:** ![Paranoid\_Randroid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paranoid_randroid/32/18_2.png) [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12239 "2017-10-12T17:12:04Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > See, this is what I’m talking about - liberals in denial about Trump’s popularity. This is how liberals will fail to defeat Trump in 2020. > > … > > We can’t be complacent. We can’t just sit back and watch Trump self-destruct - because he isn’t, at least not yet. I don’t think failing to catastrophize the results of an election three years out of complacency, particularly when the disliked incumbent is – contrary to your statements here – historically quite unpopular. Yes, his approval rating bounces around, but we’ll need more time to suss out whether the downward trend is over. That doesn’t mean you should lean back, kick up your heels, say “we got this”, and not vote. I think a realistic view of the numbers is compatible with recognizing the urgency of political action. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12240 "2017-10-12T17:17:12Z")
> [@Paranoid\_Randroid](#): > > I don’t think I can agree; the overall trend is still downward, but with sufficient gradualness that looking only at a few months could be misleading. > > Further, 38% isn’t anywhere near “very popular”. It’s more popular than he should be, agreed. But it ain’t great. I think the point is that that mid-30% ish number is a block of stone. Those are the die-hard Trump supporters that will prefer him no matter how badly he botches things. That’s a very large number—at least fifty million Americans. Those are the ones you need to worry about. How do you change their minds? How do you persuade them? ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12241 "2017-10-12T17:20:40Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > See, this is what I’m talking about - liberals in denial about Trump’s popularity. This is how liberals will fail to defeat Trump in 2020. > > Just look at the poll trends. Every time Trump did something horrible and polls dropped slightly, the media cried “Trump popularity dropping in all states!” but the numbers slowly creep back up, until it happens again. His approval rating is still higher than it was in August. > > And of the people saying the US is heading in the wrong direction, many think the “right” direction is where Trump wants us to go, and Congress is stopping him from achieving his goals. > > We can’t be complacent. We can’t just sit back and watch Trump self-destruct - because he isn’t, at least not yet. Liberals don’t need to defeat Trump; they need to find a new leader that the population can get behind. Hillary wasn’t it. Bernie could have been it. I think he was a better leader than Hillary proved to be. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12242 "2017-10-12T17:23:50Z")
I’m guessing the lowering of numbers has more to do with previously apathetic people getting their mad on. People who ignored polling before, didn’t respond, etc. And here we are, people who didn’t give a shit yesterday are our best hope. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12243 "2017-10-12T17:32:46Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > With all due awe and an utter absence of snarkitude…wha? The “requirement”. for starters, and then “building”? Maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t get this, but I don’t get this. I mean, what the Hell can you be inside of that wasn’t built? A cave, I guess, so the nature of correct and respectful display would be totally different in a cave? > > Maybe its finally happened, and my brains have turned to cheese. I gape, I stare, I don’t get it… Also, if that is the rule, I’m pretty sure a stadium is a building. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=611) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=613)