# 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:** 651
**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 30, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13005 "2017-10-30T01:42:56Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Thirty million Trumpists will be convinced the heart attack was an assassination planned by Hillary Clinton and George Soros. Their connection to reality is not there. I think if the big event happened within the next 6 months or so, that the conspiracy theories would focus on McConnel,Ryan and the Republican establishment. Or msybe McCain, Corker and Flake. Because the Bannonites who are directing thie CT narrative, are still firmly embedded in primary mode. They’re going after the establishment and the traitors in this so-called Republican civil war.( Although the fighting is so one sided at this point that it’s starting to look more like a mass shooting than a war. ). During primary season they’ll start to pivot to to attacking the Democrats. ---
**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 30, 2017, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13006 "2017-10-30T02:49:49Z")
The Maryland attorney general is investigating one of the Kushner family’s real estate businesses after media reports surfaced earlier this year about allegedly abusive debt collection practices and poor conditions at several of its properties. > **[Maryland investigating Kushner Companies over apartments](https://money.cnn.com/2017/10/29/news/kushner-companies-maryland-attorney-general/index.html)** > > The Maryland attorney general is investigating one of the Kushner family's real estate businesses after media reports surfaced earlier this year about allegedly abusive debt collection practices and poor conditions at several of its properties. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13007 "2017-10-30T04:23:30Z")
> [@](#): > > The head of Puerto Rico’s power company said Sunday the agency will cancel its $300 million contract with Whitefish Energy Holdings amid increased scrutiny of the tiny Montana company’s role in restoring the island’s power system following Hurricane Maria [http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/puerto-rico-scrapping-contract-with-whitefish](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/puerto-rico-scrapping-contract-with-whitefish) It sounds like they will be allowed to continue some current work, but other parts of the contract are being scrapped. Has anyone actually taken responsibility for accepting this contract? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13008 "2017-10-30T05:51:43Z")
Since when has blatant lying become the norm for government agencies? ☹ > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [FEMA says they never approved the Whitefish Energy contract](http://www.politicususa.com/2017/10/27/trump-massive-scandal-fema-approved-whitefish-energy-contract.html). > > > [@](#): > > > > According to the contract, the government is not allowed to audit or conduct oversight over Whitefish to see how taxpayer money is being spent or where it is going… > > > > The contract says that the agency did: “By executing this contract, PREPA hereby represents and warrants that FEMA has reviewed and approved of this Contract, and confirmed that this Contract is in an acceptable form to qualify for funding from FEMA or other U.S. Governmental agencies.” > > > > But on Friday morning, FEMA disputed that. “Any language in any contract between PREPA and Whitefish that states FEMA approved that contract is inaccurate,” the agency said in a statement. I would have greater respect for Zinke and Trump if they had the balls to say “My job gives me the right to enrich my friends. Suck on it, suckers!” But instead they doctor up official documents to contain blatant untruths. (Not even clever untruths, but #FakeFacts that are easily refuted.) Isn’t that illegal? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13009 "2017-10-30T11:04:34Z")
Just to be clear, that particular lie about FEMA approval was in the contract between Whitefish and PREPA, the local state-owned utility. AFAIK every federal entity involved has done the “watcha talkin’ 'bout, Willis?” whenever anyone tried to say the feds had cleared the deal. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13010 "2017-10-30T12:04:46Z")
[Manafort is turning himself in.](http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/30/politics/paul-manafort-russia-investigation-surrender/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13011 "2017-10-30T12:33:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [Manafort is turning himself in.](http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/30/politics/paul-manafort-russia-investigation-surrender/index.html) And Rick Gates, whoever he is (I haven’t really followed the stories). ---
**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:** [October 30, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13012 "2017-10-30T14:03:03Z")
Not particularly relevant to the way Manafort Destiny is now unfolding, but I saw _Sin City_ over the weekend, and was struck by how closely Senator Roark’s words echoed Trump’s words and implications: > [@](#): > > Power doesn’t come from a badge or a gun. Power comes outta lying and lying big and getting the whole damn world to play along with you, Once you got everybody agreeing with what they know in their hearts ain’t true you got em by the balls. You’re the boss. You can turn reality on its head and they’ll cheer you on. > > I could pump you full of bullets right now and I wouldn’t be arrested. Everyone would lie for me, everyone who counts > . Otherwise all their own lies, everything that runs Sin City, it all comes tumbling down like a pack of cards ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13013 "2017-10-30T14:38:28Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > … Manafort Destiny … 😃 Beautiful! ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13014 "2017-10-30T15:29:14Z")
That’s it? If that’s it, I’m really disappointed. Where’s election tampering? Obstruction of justice? ---
**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:** [October 30, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13015 "2017-10-30T15:32:09Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > That’s it? > > If that’s it, I’m really disappointed. Where’s election tampering? Obstruction of justice? It’s coming. Every avalanche starts with a small snowball. Manafort and Gates could sing like canaries in exchange for a deal. Just like Papadopoulos is doing. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13016 "2017-10-30T15:34:10Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > That’s it? > > If that’s it, I’m really disappointed. Where’s election tampering? Obstruction of justice? Patience. From what I’ve read, Mueller often starts with smaller fish as a way to get them to turn on the bigger fish. The investigation is nowhere near over. We’ll see more indictments, hopefully soon. I’m not optimistic Trump himself is going to get indicted, but Manafort at least won’t be the last. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13017 "2017-10-30T15:36:42Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s coming. Every avalanche starts with a small snowball. > > Manafort and Gates could sing like canaries in exchange for a deal. > Just like Papadopoulos is doing. > [@Bayard](#): > > Patience. From what I’ve read, Mueller often starts with smaller fish as a way to get them to turn on the bigger fish. The investigation is nowhere near over. We’ll see more indictments, hopefully soon. I’m not optimistic Trump himself is going to get indicted, but Manafort at least won’t be the last. Unless they have no fear of serving any time, as they may be immediately pardoned. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13018 "2017-10-30T16:10:12Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Unless they have no fear of serving any time, as they may be immediately pardoned. Mueller is working with the New York State attorney general, who can bring charges beyond the reach of the Dotard’s pardon pen. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13019 "2017-10-30T22:48:57Z")
This definitely goes in the Clusterfuck thread, and not the Mueller threads… [2nd GOP official raises doubts that Trump will be President post-2020](http://www.newsweek.com/trump-2020-election-white-house-manafort-696089). Both Rand Paul and Chris Christie have said over the weekend that people should not assume that Trump will be President past 2020, with Rand Paul darkly hinting that Trump will be primaried. Christie earlier said: > [@from article](#): > > “If he runs again I would support him, yes, but I’m not so sure what will happen.” > > Christie added, "Four years is a long time, and especially for someone who has not spent a lifetime in politics, so I think those years affect him differently. So I’m sure the president will make whatever decision is best for him and his family and the country.” That’s a mighty big “if” which precedes that statement. Republicans hinting at a tired President… _their_ tired President… ripe to be primaried. In month 10. When has _that_ ever happened? Let the Clusterfucking of the GOP begin! ---
**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:** [October 30, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13020 "2017-10-30T22:57:36Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > This definitely goes in the Clusterfuck thread, and not the Mueller threads… > > [2nd GOP official raises doubts that Trump will be President post-2020](http://www.newsweek.com/trump-2020-election-white-house-manafort-696089). > > Both Rand Paul and Chris Christie have said over the weekend that people should not assume that Trump will be President past 2020, with Rand Paul darkly hinting that Trump will be primaried. > > Christie earlier said: > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by from article > > “If he runs again I would support him, yes, but I’m not so sure what will happen.” > > > > Christie added, "Four years is a long time, and especially for someone who has not spent a lifetime in politics, so I think those years affect him differently. So I’m sure **the president will make whatever decision is best for him and his family and the country.”** > > That’s a mighty big “if” which precedes that statement. > > Republicans hinting at a tired President… _their_ tired President… ripe to be primaried. In month 10. When has _that_ ever happened? > > Let the Clusterfucking of the GOP begin! I like how Christie got the order of priority correct. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13021 "2017-10-30T23:00:29Z")
I thought I was keeping up, but I’m unfamiliar with the use of the word “primary” as a verb. To wit: “…hinting that Trump will be _primaried_.” From the context, I’m assuming that means he will be beaten in a primary? Help me out here. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2017, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13022 "2017-10-30T23:06:15Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I thought I was keeping up, but I’m unfamiliar with the use of the word “primary” as a verb. To wit: “…hinting that Trump will be _primaried_.” From the context, I’m assuming that means he will be beaten in a primary? Help me out here. Yes. Usually, it’s considered bad form to challenge the incumbent from within the party. In current use, especially with the GOP vs. the Tea Party and other right wing nutcases, being primaried means deliberately running a challenger to defeat someone considered ideologically impure. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13023 "2017-10-30T23:28:26Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I thought I was keeping up, but I’m unfamiliar with the use of the word “primary” as a verb. To wit: “…hinting that Trump will be _primaried_.” From the context, I’m assuming that means he will be beaten in a primary? Help me out here. It means that GOPers will challenge Trump in the primaries for Trump’s job. Yes, this is a big deal. It is openly gunning for the bosses job, and Rand Paul is hinting that either (a) he will run, or (b) he will support the right candidate if _they_ ran against Trump. ---
**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 30, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13024 "2017-10-30T23:34:45Z")
So many Brutuses (Brutii? 😉 ) sharpening their blades. Trump should send Pence for the next SOTU. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=650) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=652)