# 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:** 436
**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 14, 2025, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8762 "2025-10-14T02:30:34Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > I reckon in the “perfect call” there’s like a double jeopardy impeachment _Can_ a president be impeached more than once for the same offence? Impeachment is a political act, not a criminal one. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8763 "2025-10-14T02:40:09Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > Too bad Zelensky didn’t have a recording of the “perfect call” and neither did Brad Raffensperger in Georgia with the “find me 11,000+” votes (or did he? Doesn’t matter). Raffensperger recorded his call with Trump; key clips from the recording were played on the news channels constantly, especially after Trump was indicted for racketeering in that case. > **[Trump–Raffensperger phone call](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump%E2%80%93Raffensperger_phone_call)** > > On January 2, 2021, during an hour-long conference call, then-U.S. president Donald Trump pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find 11,780 votes" and overturn the state's election results from the 2020 presidential election. Trump had been unequivocally defeated by Joe Biden in the election, but refused to accept the outcome, and made a months-long effort to overturn the results. Prior to the call to Raffensperger, Trump and his campaign spoke repeatedly to state and loc... ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8764 "2025-10-14T02:40:21Z")
Nothing in the Constitution prevents it - I was surprised you could impeach one after he left office. Lots of things are possible yet not politically do-able. Go back 50+ years and find those missing 18 minutes of Nixon’s recordings. He could hardly dismiss his own voice as a “deep fake” and since they were never find them (fire works well with tape) he held that those missing minutes would somehow have exonerated him. Yet good thing Ford pardoned him and though that probably wouldn’t have prevented the 2nd impeachment of a President, would have been highly unlikely. I suppose a lot to answer in your question could be summarily decided by SCOTUS. Not sure if they have any role but as overseers in Impeachment. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8765 "2025-10-14T02:49:15Z")
That case is a twisted overlapping mess of scopes and any prosecutorial team (and as I mentioned time is running out like this year to not find one and dismiss). First line of defense (after numerous pre-trial motions that would last 4 years): “That’s not my voice. Deep fake” and then second, let’s spend months parsing what “find” means. Maybe Trump heard 11,780 votes were left in a bag down by river, next to a briefcase full of cash. Also, if Raffensperger were all-in on this brilliant idea, was 11,780 the exact amount needed or could they just stop there when 45,470 votes floated by? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8766 "2025-10-14T03:05:21Z")
I took one for the team earlier, and went to OANN to see how their readers felt about the Qatari Air Force story. While it was kind of a mixed bag, the majority of the people who posted comments on the article expressed A LOT of disapproval at the idea. Some of it was pure Islamophobia, sure. But even some of the diehards are starting to question Trump’s judgement. Of course, one guy claimed that he trusts Trump no matter what. When I pressed him on whether he would approve of the agreement if Biden had approved the deal, with every single thing (motivation for letting the Qataris use the base, risks/rewards exactly the same, etc. The only difference being the signature on the authorization) being the exact same, he said that he wouldn’t agree with the decision, but he’s okay with it because Trump okayed it. So take that for what it’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8767 "2025-10-14T03:16:08Z")
In other words: The People’s Temple on a national scale. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8768 "2025-10-14T03:16:55Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > So take that for what it’s worth. _signed John Barron_ - username checks out There already was a big base in Qatar, but in 2017 Saudi & Co put a blockade on Qatar accusing them of terrorism. John Barron, I mean Trump, tweeted agreement with the Saudi’s till both the Pentagon and State Department told him how critical the base is and to STFU. Recently, for reasons explained in papers in a box in someone’s bathroom, Qatar decided to spend billions to upgrade it. “Sounds good to me” said everyone in the US military. We like big, badass bases and it’’s all paid for by Qatar. ---
**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:** [October 14, 2025, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8769 "2025-10-14T06:25:43Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Raffensperger recorded his call with Trump; key clips from the recording were played on the news channels constantly, especially after Trump was indicted for racketeering in that case. And, no, ultimately it did not matter. 😡 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8770 "2025-10-14T10:36:31Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > His first impeachment, in 2019, was for abuse of power: specifically, seeking to solicit the Ukrainian government to interfere in the 2020 election. Remember Trump’s continuing claim about his “perfect phone call” with Zelenskyy? Yeah, it was straight up extorsion of the president of a friendly country. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8771 "2025-10-14T11:09:22Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yeah, it was straight up extorsion of the president of a friendly country. That’s the problem right there. How do you expect someone who’s never actually had a friend to know what _friendly_ means? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8772 "2025-10-14T11:23:46Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > That’s the problem right there. How do you expect someone who’s never actually had a friend to know what _friendly_ means? Ya know? Thinking about this, and I don’t think you’re being sarcastic, I think this is true. Sad really. It is difficult to feel sorry for someone that actively tries to hurt innocent good people though. He’s not as bad as Kim Jong Un of course, but he’s working on it as best as he can. ---
**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 14, 2025, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8773 "2025-10-14T11:37:04Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > That’s the problem right there. How do you expect someone who’s never actually had a friend to know what _friendly_ means? This is the crux of his personality. He doesn’t believe there is any such thing as a benevolent intention. We know that he has no concept of loyalty, either personal or patriotic. In his case, every act is a win-lose-contest to the death. Everything he does is for his own aggrandizement, or to put someone else down. There is no such thing as taking any action, whether in personal or public life, that is just because it’s the right thing to do, or because someone else will benefit. I don’t believe he’s capable of committing a strictly neutral act either. Every action is either to glorify himself or to humiliate someone else. And he assumes that everyone else is like him. Anyone who’s not like this is a sucker. That’s why all those people lying in military cemeteries were “losers.” The only thing I can give him credit for is that he is 100% consistent. He has never surprised us by doing something for someone else’s benefit that did not also include profit of some kind or an ego boost for himself. 🤮 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8774 "2025-10-14T12:07:45Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > This is the crux of his personality. He doesn’t believe there is any such thing as a benevolent intention. We know that he has no concept of loyalty, either personal or patriotic. In his case, every act is a win-lose-contest to the death. Everything he does is for his own aggrandizement, or to put someone else down. There is no such thing as taking any action, whether in personal or public life, that is just because it’s the right thing to do, or because someone else will benefit. I don’t believe he’s capable of committing a strictly neutral act either. Every action is either to glorify himself or to humiliate someone else. And he assumes that everyone else is like him. Anyone who’s not like this is a sucker. You’re describing the mindset (such as it is) of an amoeba. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8775 "2025-10-14T12:36:15Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > You’re describing the mindset (such as it is) of an amoeba. Yes. Any parasite really. Is an ameba a parasite? … Shesss, my Google search history is gonna return some very odd stuff. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8776 "2025-10-14T12:57:14Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > You’re describing the mindset (such as it is) of an amoeba. Welcome to the wonderful world of amoebic dysentery. [Entamoeba histolytica](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23531-amoebic-dysentery) Turns out, your shit is orange. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8777 "2025-10-14T12:58:21Z")
Trump is [Belkar Bitterleaf before the character development](https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0335.html). ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8778 "2025-10-14T13:26:15Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > > [@Monty](#): > > > > That’s the problem right there. How do you expect someone who’s never actually had a friend to know what _friendly_ means? > > Ya know? Thinking about this, and I don’t think you’re being sarcastic, I think this is true. Sad really. > > It is difficult to feel sorry for someone that actively tries to hurt innocent good people though. He’s not as bad as Kim Jong Un of course, but he’s working on it as best as he can. I’m not being sarcastic in the least. And I agree with you; it’s sad, criminally sad. He actively tries to hurt others because that’s how he views success, just like any other sociopath. As far as he’s concerned, nobody’s innocent. People are just targets. Even those people who help him are his targets; they’re either just ignorant of that fact or are deceiving themselves. The one and only reason he’s not as bas as Kim Jong Un is that the United States has a different set-up for their government. Kim’s government is absolutely dedicated and constructed for deification of Kim and permitting him to do whatever it is he wishes. The American system is purposely constructed to _prevent_ such a thing. The felon, with Project 25 as a roadmap, is dismantling that system and _that_ takes time. Let’s turn towards his supporters and especially those who vote for him. They are aware of how he ran his business, of his dishonesty, of his abuse, of his acting like a king. They vote for him because they belive that’s how business–any business, be it private or government–is done, how it’s always been done. And they believe he’s good at it. Plus what @ThelmaLou said. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8779 "2025-10-14T14:40:53Z")
In the past week Trump has done the same weird stupid thing twice: treating every assemblage as if it was one of his rallies. Last week he addressed an audience of naval officers. His comments wandered off script, as usual, and he brought up his old nemesis…“Barack Hussein Obama. Maybe you’ve heard of him?” Pause for the expected chorus of boos…that didn’t come. Yesterday, in Egypt talking to world leaders, he brought up his other old nemesis. He thanked Egyptian dictator al-Sisi (more on that later) who he said has been a friend ever since his campaign against “Crooked Hillary Clinton. Remember her?” Pause for the expected chorus of boos…that didn’t come. According to Rachel Maddow: in the closing weeks of the 2016 campaign, Trump was running out of money (and refusing to spend any of his own). He met with al-Sisi, and lo and behold a few weeks later, $10M magically appeared in his, and then the campaign’s, bank account. ---
**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 14, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8780 "2025-10-14T15:05:39Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > You’re describing the mindset (such as it is) of an amoeba. Well, if the petri dish fits… Seriously, apologies to amoebae. They have their function in The Great Chain of Being and probably carry it out with less fuss, muss, and bother than DJT. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/8781 "2025-10-14T15:30:35Z")
Hell, a Tasmanian Devil — the Warner Brothers version, much less the actual marsupial — carries out its business with less fuss/muss/bother (not to mention damage to everything around it) than DJT. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=435) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=437)