# The Trump Administration: The Clusterfuck Continues (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 11, 2024, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068 "2024-11-11T06:19:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 190
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3841 "2025-04-08T14:55:12Z")
Outnumbered. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3842 "2025-04-08T15:05:40Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > If total idiots can beat us like that, then what does that make us? The people the system is designed to squash. Trump has succeeded his entire life because he’s embedded in a system designed for the purpose of protecting and rewarding him and those like him. All he had to _do_ to win at life was to keep on breathing. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3843 "2025-04-08T15:22:09Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I think he read it in an economics column penned by the noted financial expert Ron Varo. In case anybody hadn’t heard this before (I first heard it on Rachel Maddow this week): Trump’s economic policy, such as it is, formed when he sent Jared Kushner off to Amazon to look at book reviews supporting tariffs. Jared found one, by Peter Navarro, which is how Navarro became Trump’s go-to economic guru. Navarro’s book on tariffs cites just one source to back up his theories: some guy named Ron Varo. There is no Ron Varo. It’s an anagram of “Navarro”. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3844 "2025-04-08T15:25:03Z")
> [@Maus\_Magill](#): > > Outnumbered. This. You’re playing chess but you get to start short a queen and a rook while they get to start with 4 Queens. At some point, it doesn’t matter if you’re Kasparov or not, all the skill, training, and intelligence in the world can’t make up for it. What’s more galling is they act like they were the ones playing with the severe handicap. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3845 "2025-04-08T15:30:12Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > You’re playing chess but you get to start short a queen and a rook while they get to start with 4 Queens. Even with that advantage they rely on knocking over the pieces and shitting on the board. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3846 "2025-04-08T15:32:27Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > they get to start with 4 Queens. The hell you say. 🧐 ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3847 "2025-04-08T15:37:37Z")
I too just learned about this from Rachel Maddow this week. To add to what you said, it was during Trump’s first term that he realized that he needed an economic policy and didn’t know enough to create one himself. He tasked Jared Kushner with finding an advisor, but Kushner knows nothing about economics either, so he told his Dad in Law that he’d do some research. Research simply involved going to Amazon and looking up books on Economics. He found one book called “Death by China” that he knew Trump would love based on the title alone and he was right. Trump of course didn’t actually read the book, but hired its author, Peter Navarro to manage his economic policies. Navarro is very pro Tariff and that was the point of the book. As you mentioned, he makes numerous citations to another economist who also happens to be very pro tariff named Ron Varo. Ron Varo has popped up again in Washington DC in various emails and documents supporting Trumps tariff views. And of course, as you mentioned, Ron Varo doesn’t actually exist. Literally, Navarro’s book is a case of “My Book is my Cite”. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3848 "2025-04-08T16:11:39Z")
A bit of levity from The Onion. (But how far-fetched would this be, really?) > **[RFK Jr. Orders Removal Of Sinks From HHS Bathrooms](https://theonion.com/rfk-jr-orders-removal-of-sinks-from-hhs-bathrooms/)** > > WASHINGTON—As part of a sweeping overhaul of the building’s plumbing system, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly ordered the removal of sinks Tuesday from all bathrooms in the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters. “People across the... > WASHINGTON—As part of a sweeping overhaul of the building’s plumbing system, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly ordered the removal of sinks Tuesday from all bathrooms in the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters. “People across the world lived for thousands of years without sinks, and they were just fine—healthier, even,” said Kennedy, who noted that the cuts would not only save taxpayers thousands of dollars in maintenance and water bills each year, but be better for the environment as well. “They never should have been installed in the first place. Numerous studies have shown that licking your hands clean can actually improve your immune system. Soap dispensers will remain, but only so you can drink from them.” At press time, sources reported that Kennedy had eliminated toilets and was urging staffers to dispose of their waste by simply throwing it out the window. 🤨 I guess germophobe trump would insist on a sink in the WH bathroom. His, anyway.. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3849 "2025-04-08T16:15:22Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Did he happen to say when that would happen? Two weeks. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3850 "2025-04-08T17:00:35Z")
**Trump and the Bowling Ball Test** This just showed up on Rachel Maddow’s blog: > [@](#): > > # With comments about cars and bowling balls, Trump brings back a weird, discredited classic > > In 2018, the president confused many of his own aides with claims about “the bowling ball test” and auto imports. In 2025, the odd story is back. > > … > > “[I]t’s not only tariffs, it’s non-monetary tariffs,” the Republican said in the Oval Office. “It’s tariffs where they put things on that make it impossible for you to sell a car. It’s not a money thing. They make it so difficult, the standards and the tests. They drop a bowling ball on the top of your car from 20 feet up in the air, and if there’s a little dent, they say, ‘No, I’m sorry, your car doesn’t qualify.’” > > … > > In 2018, the Post’s Philip Bump explored [a variety of possible explanations](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/03/15/so-uh-whats-this-bowling-ball-test-that-trump-was-talking-about/), including referencing a Nissan television ad (the president does love watching TV) in which bowling balls hit a car. Did Trump see the commercial and get confused? Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t recall hearing about this before. Very weird > **[With comments about cars and bowling balls, Trump brings back a weird,...](https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-cars-bowling-balls-japanese-imports-rcna200221)** > > In 2018, the president confused many of his own aides with claims about “the bowling ball test” and auto imports. In 2025, the odd story is back. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3851 "2025-04-08T19:33:26Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > …Navarro’s book on tariffs cites just one source to back up his theories: some guy named Ron Varo. > > There is no Ron Varo. It’s an anagram of “Navarro”. > [@Frazzled](#): > > …As you mentioned, he makes numerous citations to another economist who also happens to be very pro tariff named Ron Varo. Ron Varo has popped up again in Washington DC in various emails and documents supporting Trumps tariff views. And of course, as you mentioned, Ron Varo doesn’t actually exist. Ron **Vara** (who also doesn’t exist). ---
**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:** [April 8, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3852 "2025-04-08T19:48:32Z")
An hour ago, the Dow was up 67 points. Then Steven Miller went on Fox News to yell and threaten more tariffs on Jyna. It’s now down 750. > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lmd7bit3kc2w)** > > the market starts tanking and loses 200 points while Stephen Miller is on Fox News > > (watch the ticker in the lower right corner -- the Dow was down just 50 points when the segment began) > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lmd6gq336u22)** > > MacCALLUM: Will we now see a 104% tariff against China? > > STEPHEN MILLER: This is about the president of the United States defending the core national security interests of the United States ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3853 "2025-04-08T19:54:15Z")
104% for stuff out of China. I think my joke wasn’t ambitious enough. Your boy Donnie is looking for that 4th digit. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3854 "2025-04-08T19:55:59Z")
Rand Paul, meanwhile, turns out to actually believe in things. > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lmcusfw2ra22)** > > Rand Paul: "I can't support a fallacy that is gonna make us lose our wealth. I have a retirement account too. I want my retirement account to stay there. And I think tariffs is gonna decimate it." > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lmcuklt4xk2k)** > > Rand Paul: "The whole \[tariffs\] debate is so fundamentally backwards & upside down. It's based on a fallacy & the fallacy is this: that somehow in a trade, someone must lose. That somehow when you trade with someone, someone is taking... ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3855 "2025-04-08T19:57:14Z")
“Decimate”? We’re way past 10% down. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3856 "2025-04-08T19:58:06Z")
> **[Elon Musk calls Trump's top trade adviser, Peter Navarro, a 'moron' and...](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/economics/elon-musk-calls-trumps-top-trade-adviser-peter-navarro-moron-dumber-sa-rcna200208)** > > Asked about the spat, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue." > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON — Elon Musk on Tuesday blasted President Donald Trump’s top trade adviser, Peter Navarro, as a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks” in a spat that underscores the discord among the president’s top allies over his sweeping tariffs set to go into effect this week. > > During a CNBC interview Monday, Navarro took a shot at Musk, saying the billionaire Tesla CEO is “not a car manufacturer” but a “car assembler” who obtains cheap parts for Tesla vehicles from abroad. If Linda McMahon doesn’t encourage a public cage match between these two, then I want the Department of Education back! And, yes, Press Sec’y, Karoline Leavitt: that _is_ transparency – much like when a Congress Critter leaves his zipper down – inadequacy and incompetence for all to see. TYVM. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3857 "2025-04-08T20:15:36Z")
“Boys will be boys”? Shouldn’t presidential advisors be, you know, _adults?_ And what’s up with Elon Musk’s love of schoolyard insults, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3858 "2025-04-08T20:20:13Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > If Linda McMahon doesn’t encourage a public cage match between these two, then I want the Department of Education back! “That’s what I thought!” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/sGUNPMPrxvA/maxresdefault.jpg "President Camacho's State of the Union") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGUNPMPrxvA) ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3859 "2025-04-08T21:31:19Z")
Looks like we’re getting coal, maybe the clean kind?? > **[Live updates: Trump signs executive orders to boost coal](https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-4-8-2025)** > > President Donald Trump is expected to sign executive orders Tuesday aimed at boosting coal, a reliable but polluting energy source that’s long been in decline. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/3860 "2025-04-08T21:35:28Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > And what’s up with Elon Musk’s love of schoolyard insults, anyway? He’s a manchild with untreated ADHD. I’d say he wishes he was still school-age, but even back then he had no friends because he was an intolerable dickhead who made fun of a classmate whose father committed suicide and said classmate pushed him down a flight of stairs for it and Elmo’s father told him he deserved it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=189) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=191)