# 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:** 739
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14765 "2017-12-26T23:10:02Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > …it would be wonderful if the British sent in an imposter, maybe one of the Monty Python guys… Simply _mus_t be Stephen Fry! On another note, did you know that Donald, of House Harkonnen, worst of his Name…has a spiritual adviser? No, really! I am not making this up! Her name is Paula White. If you know nothing about her, rest assured that you can guess. Our good friends over at _Crooks and Liars_ have a brief info, if you are not already feeling bad enough. You’re welcome! > **[Trump's 'Spiritual Advisor' Tells Fox And Friends What A Great Christian He Is](https://crooksandliars.com/2017/12/trumps-spiritual-advisor-tells-fox-and-0)** > > No, this is not an SNL skit. (But it will be.) ---
**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:** [December 26, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14766 "2017-12-26T23:21:49Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Simply _mus_t be Stephen Fry! > > On another note, did you know that Donald, of House Harkonnen, worst of his Name…has a spiritual adviser? No, really! I am not making this up! > > Her name is Paula White. If you know nothing about her, rest assured that you can guess. Our good friends over at _Crooks and Liars_ have a brief info, if you are not already feeling bad enough. You’re welcome! > > [Trump's 'Spiritual Advisor' Tells Fox And Friends What A Great Christian He Is | Crooks and Liars](https://crooksandliars.com/2017/12/trumps-spiritual-advisor-tells-fox-and-0) > [@](#): > > She and her current husband, “Journey” band member Jonathan Cain, have seven marriages between them, I guess sanctity of marriage is no longer part of the GOP “Family Values”. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14767 "2017-12-26T23:25:20Z")
In related news, apparently Trump went to church on Christmas. I was very disappointed to hear that he didn’t immediately burst into flames. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14768 "2017-12-26T23:25:39Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > **Donald, of House Harkonnen, worst of his Name** I am stealing this and using it forever and ever. It describes him perfectly. ---
**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:** [December 26, 2017, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14769 "2017-12-26T23:45:41Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Simply _mus_t be Stephen Fry! Is that, like, some kind of pun? ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14770 "2017-12-26T23:46:31Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > I was very disappointed to hear that he didn’t immediately burst into flames. I’ll keep trying to do that with my mind. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2017, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14771 "2017-12-27T00:06:02Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > I’ll keep trying to do that with my mind. The water will just put it out. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14772 "2017-12-27T10:31:02Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > _ **But whether Trump got 46% or 49% or 51% is besides the point.** _ Any vote count above 30% reflects something very very sad about present-day America. I absolutely agree with you there, although it would still be true, just to a lesser extent, if he got 25% of the vote. 10 years ago, I considered it a pretty sad state of affairs that Dubya could get all the votes he did. It was absolutely inconceivable that an absurdity like Trump could even do as well as Perot (and Perot’s 19% was pretty ridiculous itself). But that’s completely different from a notion of there being collective blame due to anyone who has opposed Trump all along. That’s just wrong. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2017, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14773 "2017-12-27T11:11:23Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Simply _mus_t be Stephen Fry! > > On another note, did you know that Donald, of House Harkonnen, worst of his Name…has a spiritual adviser? No, really! I am not making this up! > > Her name is Paula White. If you know nothing about her, rest assured that you can guess. Our good friends over at _Crooks and Liars_ have a brief info, if you are not already feeling bad enough. You’re welcome! > > [Trump's 'Spiritual Advisor' Tells Fox And Friends What A Great Christian He Is | Crooks and Liars](https://crooksandliars.com/2017/12/trumps-spiritual-advisor-tells-fox-and-0) In Trump’s White Trash Nation, actual church-going Christians are sekrit Moooslems, and phony, pandering shitbags are shining lights of piety. As long as they are white. Praise Geezus. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14774 "2017-12-27T20:57:53Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Oh, noes! We might hurt Twump’s feewings!](https://nypost.com/2017/12/26/british-government-sweats-trump-react-to-prince-harrys-obama-wedding-invite/) Good for Harry!!! ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14775 "2017-12-28T03:39:45Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I absolutely agree with you there, although it would still be true, just to a lesser extent, if he got 25% of the vote. 10 years ago, I considered it a pretty sad state of affairs that Dubya could get all the votes he did. It was absolutely inconceivable that an absurdity like Trump could even do as well as Perot (and Perot’s 19% was pretty ridiculous itself). > > But that’s completely different from a notion of there being collective blame due to anyone who has opposed Trump all along. That’s just wrong. I dunno. I think “the collective” (the terminology already poisons this argument for conservatives, but since they are apparently immune to argument anyway, fuck 'em!) failed to show the proles to the light. When The Great Huckster was pandering to the suckers and chumps, “the collective” did not make the right moves to convince them that they were being played for marks. Admit at least that much. Can you see the distancing action at work in your post? You are all like, “this is Those guys’ fault, not me!” But separation is an illusion (\*sometimes). You ARE to blame. You didn’t do what was required. “You”, as the collective, I mean. But that is You qua you, yanno? \*disclaimer ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14776 "2017-12-28T04:39:45Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Oh, noes! We might hurt Twump’s feewings!](https://nypost.com/2017/12/26/british-government-sweats-trump-react-to-prince-harrys-obama-wedding-invite/) Oh please, please PLEASE Harry and Megan. Invite Bazza and the family and leave the Trumps off the list. Pretty please?? :D:D ---
**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:** [December 28, 2017, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14777 "2017-12-28T04:55:22Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Oh please, please PLEASE Harry and Megan. Invite Bazza and the family and leave the Trumps off the list. > > Pretty please?? :D:D Invite the Trumps to the rehearsal. Tell them they’re stand-ins for the Obamas. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14778 "2017-12-28T05:33:35Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Invite the Trumps to the rehearsal. Tell them they’re stand-ins for the Obamas. Even better! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14779 "2017-12-28T08:59:27Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I dunno. I think “the collective” (the terminology already poisons this argument for conservatives, but since they are apparently immune to argument anyway, fuck 'em!) failed to show the proles to the light. When The Great Huckster was pandering to the suckers and chumps, “the collective” did not make the right moves to convince them that they were being played for marks. Admit at least that much. > > Can you see the distancing action at work in your post? You are all like, “this is Those guys’ fault, not me!” But separation is an illusion (\*sometimes). You ARE to blame. You didn’t do what was required. “You”, as the collective, I mean. But that is You qua you, yanno? > \*disclaimer I hope this is tongue in cheek (as it kinda seems like it might be). If not: Okay, I “failed” to convince them not to vote for Trump. And they failed to convince me _to_ vote for him. Um, okay? So? And yes, I feel pretty distant from Trump voters. Romney and McCain, I can understand voting for (although I did not). I could even kind of understand voting Cruz, although he is pretty diametrically opposite everything I believe in. Voting Trump, I don’t get at all. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14780 "2017-12-28T10:07:14Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I dunno. I think “the collective” (the terminology already poisons this argument for conservatives, but since they are apparently immune to argument anyway, fuck 'em!) failed to show the proles to the light. When The Great Huckster was pandering to the suckers and chumps, “the collective” did not make the right moves to convince them that they were being played for marks. Admit at least that much. > > Can you see the distancing action at work in your post? You are all like, “this is Those guys’ fault, not me!” But separation is an illusion (\*sometimes). You ARE to blame. You didn’t do what was required. “You”, as the collective, I mean. But that is You qua you, yanno? > \*disclaimer You can’t fix stupid. ---
**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:** [December 28, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14781 "2017-12-28T14:07:02Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Gee, when they hold a reunion of past, present (and presumably future) Trump staffers, they’re gonna have to rent a ginormous stadium. And hire big-time security. WRT my post above: [“Trump administration sees record first-year staff turnover: report”](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366651-trump-administration-sees-record-first-year-staff-turnover-report) > [@](#): > > The Trump administration in its first year has seen a record level of staff turnover, according to the Wall Street Journal. > > During the president’s time in office, his administration saw a 34 percent turnover rate among senior aides leaving the White House, the Journal reported, citing a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who has tracked White House turnover rates over three decades. > > According to the analysis, 21 of the 61 senior officials tracked have either resigned, been fired or reassigned. > … > The Journal reported that the turnover rate during former President Reagan’s first year in office — which was the next-highest first-year turnover rate in the last 40 years — was 17 percent in 1981. > … > The first-year turnover rate of former President Obama was 9 percent, according to The Journal. > … Dang! Thump beats Obama AND Ronnie Reagan! :smack: He’s really good at this Presidentin’ thang. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14782 "2017-12-28T15:16:22Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I hope this is tongue in cheek (as it kinda seems like it might be). If not: Okay, I “failed” to convince them not to vote for Trump. And they failed to convince me _to_ vote for him. Um, okay? So? > > And yes, I feel pretty distant from Trump voters. Romney and McCain, I can understand voting for (although I did not). I could even kind of understand voting Cruz, although he is pretty diametrically opposite everything I believe in. Voting Trump, I don’t get at all. Sort of tongue in cheek. But then again, I think we in America are getting more divided. Us “educated people” are losing contact with the Trump types to the point that they disappear down the propaganda hole. I don’t know that I have the answer since attempts at outreach can backfire into accusations that you are a liberal agent for Hillary Clinton out to turn them gay (or God knows what it is now), but still, there is a definite lack of unity. As you say yourself, you don’t even understand your fellow countrymen. What happened? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14783 "2017-12-28T15:40:43Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > You can’t fix stupid. The other half of that statement is, “but ignorance can be fixed.” _Willful_ ignorance, not so much. I have little hope. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14784 "2017-12-28T15:45:02Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Invite the Trumps to the rehearsal. Tell them they’re stand-ins for the Obamas. Thereafter, invite the trumps to a special performance of _Our American Cousin_. Box seat in the balcony, all that stuff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=738) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=740)