# 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:** 52
**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:** [January 25, 2025, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1021 "2025-01-25T04:18:22Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > I was reading something today and saw [Hanlon’s Razor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor) mentioned: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” I’ve never agreed with that; in practice it amounts as an apologia for malice, since malice can _always_ be handwaved away as “they didn’t _mean_ for that to happen”. It’s a standard practice to excuse atrocities with the claim that the results were unintended or that it happened due to bad information. It also creates a situation where malice is encouraged because the more blatantly malignant people are, the more people feel obligated to make up excuses for them and creatively interpret their open statements of ill intent as “well intended” mistakes. And we end up in our present situation, where outright fascists get into power in part because people refused to _acknowledge_ their open calls for tyranny and violence. ---
**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:** [January 25, 2025, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1022 "2025-01-25T08:33:01Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I’ve never agreed with that; in practice it amounts as an apologia for malice, since malice can _always_ be handwaved away as “they didn’t _mean_ for that to happen”. Agreed. It’s also proof that they’re not qualified for the jobs they’re holding and should be removed immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1023 "2025-01-25T09:55:36Z")
So now we’re going to reconsider any aid we give overseas. Who wants to bet it’s a way to make those countries come begging to Fuckface Von Clownstick? Only Israel and (for some reason) Egypt get waivers. > **[Secretary of State Marco Rubio orders halt to almost all U.S. foreign aid](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna189230)** > > The directive follows President Donald Trump’s executive order Monday pausing new obligations and disbursements of foreign aid pending review. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1024 "2025-01-25T10:32:17Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Only Israel and (for some reason) Egypt get waivers. Because of the 1978 Camp David Accords. If the U.S. stops paying Egypt the peace deal with Israel is over and the Suez Canal is closed. ---
**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:** [January 25, 2025, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1025 "2025-01-25T10:42:03Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > If the U.S. stops paying Egypt the peace deal with Israel is over and the Suez Canal is closed. I’m surprised Trump hasn’t demanded that Egypt sell him the Suez. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1026 "2025-01-25T10:52:08Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Because of the 1978 Camp David Accords. If the U.S. stops paying Egypt the peace deal with Israel is over and the Suez Canal is closed. Thank you for the info! ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1027 "2025-01-25T11:28:53Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > So now we’re going to reconsider any aid we give overseas. I’m surprised it’s taken this long for them to get to cutting foreign aid. Yes, it’s only 5 days into the new admin, but I expected it on about day 2. ---
**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:** [January 25, 2025, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1028 "2025-01-25T12:31:05Z")
Hell, I expected it on Hour 1. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1029 "2025-01-25T12:31:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Because of the 1978 Camp David Accords. If the U.S. stops paying Egypt the peace deal with Israel is over and the Suez Canal is closed. Sorry, no. It’s because of the disturbing number of American Christians who sit around waiting for the Temple to be rebuilt so Jesus can come back. And they all voted for Trump. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1030 "2025-01-25T12:49:28Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Hell, I expected it on Hour 1. After I posted, I found that it _was_ on Day 1. Among the first day XOs was one about foreign aid. It just got lost in all the other ones that were more controversial. ---
**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:** [January 25, 2025, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1031 "2025-01-25T13:00:40Z")
To be fair, I expected any cessation of foreign aid to not take money away from Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1032 "2025-01-25T13:01:06Z")
Then why Egypt? Are they awaiting the return of Akhenaten? ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1033 "2025-01-25T13:06:39Z")
That I don’t know. But surely you are aware of the crazy Evangelicals and their doomsday prophecy, whereby the Temple is rebuilt, the Antichrist comes, big war, rapture, and Jesus returns? I’ve been to Israel many times (we have an office there) and my colleagues seem to really enjoy laughing at these nutters. The new ambassador to Israel is one of those nutters. > **[Evangelical Support for Israel Is Fueled By Apocalyptic Hopes](https://sojo.net/articles/evangelical-support-israel-fueled-apocalyptic-hopes)** > > I grew up in an evangelical church that supported Israel no matter what. Here’s what changed my mind. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/05/14/half-of-evangelicals-support-israel-because-they-believe-it-is-important-for-fulfilling-end-times-prophecy/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/05/14/half-of-evangelicals-support-israel-because-they-believe-it-is-important-for-fulfilling-end-times-prophecy/) ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1034 "2025-01-25T13:08:13Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > To be fair, I expected any cessation of foreign aid to not take money away from Russia. Do we give any foreign aid to Russia? I’d be very surprised if we do. There’s a small chunk of change we give to organizations in developing countries that helps them fight diseases, especially HIV. I forget the name of the program, but it was initiated by one of the Bushes. I expect that to be circular filed by these clowns. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1035 "2025-01-25T13:25:59Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > There’s a small chunk of change we give to organizations in developing countries that helps them fight diseases, especially HIV. I forget the name of the program, but it was initiated by one of the Bushes. I expect that to be circular filed by these clowns. Found the info I couldn’t remember. The program is PEPFAR and it was Bush2’s baby. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1036 "2025-01-25T13:42:38Z")
PEPFAR halted > **[Trump Pauses Disbursements to Program Supplying H.I.V. Treatment Worldwide](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/us/politics/trump-hiv-aids-pepfar.html?unlocked_article_code=1.r04.JYZY.lkkpo9hFS7If)** > > Pepfar, which is estimated to have delivered lifesaving treatment to as many as 25 million people in 54 countries, faces a funding delay of as long as 180 days. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1037 "2025-01-25T17:31:28Z")
More of the same. America may have been generous. But foreign aid costs it very little in percentage terms. The loss of goodwill might take years to replace. Pandemics are not in the interest of America. Gaps might be a foreign policy gift to China which could cheaply broaden its influence. Anti-American global sentiment helps those who would radicalize people, and it is unclear to me this is helpful in that regard. I’m not saying all foreign aid is well spent. But doing a review first would be much smarter. Another source: > **[US freezes almost all foreign aid effective immediately | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/24/politics/us-freezes-foreign-aid/index.html)** > > The US State Department has frozen nearly all foreign assistance worldwide effective immediately days after President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order Monday to put a hold on such assistance for 90 days. ---
**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:** [January 25, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1038 "2025-01-25T18:16:50Z")
Trump’s view of government and America is a bit like this: say we slowly but surely removed the requirement for every single safety and emissions feature ever required for motor vehicles SINCE the advent OF the automobile. Cars would get lighter. Cars would get faster. Cars might get better fuel economy. Cars might get cheaper, but our air quality would get steadily worse, and accidents, catastrophic injuries, and fatalities would inexorably rise. And then Trump would embezzle every penny from the auto makers’ pension funds on his way out the door. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1039 "2025-01-25T19:31:59Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > That I don’t know. But surely you are aware of the crazy Evangelicals and their doomsday prophecy, whereby the Temple is rebuilt, the Antichrist comes, big war, rapture, and Jesus returns Well, duh. But the question was about Egypt. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1040 "2025-01-25T19:39:17Z")
As for Egypt, [FMS might have something to do with it](https://www.dsca.mil/tags/egypt). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=51) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=53)