# 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:** 99
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1961 "2025-02-14T01:28:11Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’m sure he can be stripped of his citizenship. Does that matter under the regime now? ISTR Musk and/or Trump declaring they’d round up American citizens also. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1962 "2025-02-14T01:32:18Z")
> [@A rational look at what Trump will/won't/can/can't do in his next term](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-rational-look-at-what-trump-will-wont-can-cant-do-in-his-next-term/1009876/81): > > > You’re right that Trump will blame Musk and fire him (if he actually appoints him to anything to begin with) but I’m desperately hoping for a bigger blowout, maybe even trying to have Musk arrested and deported for staying in the country illegally and working on a student visa. I think once Musk starts getting more coverage and more air time, then Trump will throw him under the bus. An electric bus, no doubt. * * * > [@Smapti](#): > > Has anyone else noticed that all of Trump’s media ops lately have been taking place in the Oval Office with him seated the whole time? > > I’m beginning to think he’s having more trouble standing up or walking around and his handlers are trying to hide it. Ooo… I like the sound of this. For those of you who watch him on TV do take note of how often you see him seated versus standing. For myself, I never watch him on TV because if I did my head would surely explode and that would scare my cats. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1963 "2025-02-14T01:56:00Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I think once Musk starts getting more coverage and more air time, then Trump will throw him under the bus. An electric bus, no doubt. Can he, though? Not that I at all like him, but Musk is a 600 lb. gorilla while Trump is 400. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1964 "2025-02-14T02:08:22Z")
The electric bus has autopilot. No throwing required. ---
**Author:** ![natureboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@natureboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natureboy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1965 "2025-02-14T02:15:59Z")
That was my first thought. If a US Sec of Defense is scared of the Russian Navy, it’s time to find a new Sec of Defense. That won’t happen, though. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1966 "2025-02-14T02:22:15Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > think once Musk starts getting more coverage and more air time, then Trump will throw him under the bus. With as feeble and low-energy as Trump looked yesterday, I worry it’ll be Musk who fires him. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1967 "2025-02-14T02:32:43Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Hahaahhah. Russia barely has a green water navy let alone a blue water one. Kickass theme song, though. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/fXtiuJDtLxg/maxresdefault.jpg "Reinhold Glière: Russian Sailors Dance from The Red Poppy [Score Video]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXtiuJDtLxg) ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1968 "2025-02-14T03:01:22Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Has anyone else noticed that all of Trump’s media ops lately have been taking place in the Oval Office with him seated the whole time? > > I’m beginning to think he’s having more trouble standing up or walking around and his handlers are trying to hide it. I was wondering if it was in response to the Time Magazine cover with Musk behind the Resolute Desk. He wants to make sure the cameras show him sitting there instead. ---
**Author:** ![natureboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@natureboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natureboy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1969 "2025-02-14T03:03:50Z")
Trump will eventually fade from view one way or another. The authoritarian vehicle he leaves behind will remain and be of use to whoever drives it. Don’t fixate on Trump. This is a team effort. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1970 "2025-02-14T03:50:33Z")
Russia has a modicum of surface vessels, yet they do have a significant submarine fleet. So that’ll be where the battle is once the entirety of Russia’s surface ships are at the bottom of the Black or Baltic Seas. The USA’s ability to project both Naval and Air-power is vast and perhaps unprecedented. I do not reckon it hyperbole that the USA - were it of a belligerent mind - could have control of the Seas and Air over every nation in the world by June at the latest - though that would likely force global thermonuclear war. Who is Hegseth talking to? The viewers of Hannity? Some kind of military convention? Kowtowing to Putin? He and Trump have already capitulated. Are Tallinn and Helsinki lost causes because of Putin’s boats and subs in Krondstadt? If Dick Cheney was still alive - oh wait he is - he would say this Sec-Def must go. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1971 "2025-02-14T04:27:07Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I think once Musk starts getting more coverage and more air time, then Trump will throw him under the bus. An electric bus, no doubt. Tesla doesn’t make buses. He could be thrown under a Tesla Semi or, better yet, a Starship. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1972 "2025-02-14T05:15:55Z")
> **[Mark Joseph Stern (@mjsdc.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/mjsdc.bsky.social/post/3li4c572x7c2i)** > > A huge decision from Judge Amir Ali, meticulously reasoned and utterly scathing, finding that Trump’s foreign aid freeze is almost certainly an illegal and arbitrary abuse of power. He orders the immediate restoration of all international assistance.... > **[Mark Joseph Stern (@mjsdc.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/mjsdc.bsky.social/post/3li4cw4z5wk2i)** > > For those asking whether the Trump administration will comply—Judge Ali has already directed the government to notify all affected groups of their rights and file a report in five days explaining how they are complying with the rest of his order.... ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1973 "2025-02-14T05:17:25Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > I was wondering if it was in response to the Time Magazine cover with Musk behind the Resolute Desk. All that’s missing is the nameplate with _John Gill_ on it. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1974 "2025-02-14T07:19:25Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Can he, though? Not that I at all like him, but Musk is a 600 lb. gorilla while Trump is 400. Trump is the one with the police, the soldiers, and the cult; Musk is a rich guy with an ego. Trump would crush him like an insect, Musk is just too stupid and self absorbed to see it. Like a lot of rich guys who support authoritarianism he can’t grasp that money is no protection against an authoritarian dictator; just ask all the Russian oligarchs who “fell out of windows” how that works out. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1975 "2025-02-14T09:45:13Z")
> [@natureboy](#): > > The authoritarian vehicle he leaves behind will remain and be of use to whoever drives it. I was thinking that yesterday, “He’s the Boris Yeltsin to someone else’s Putin.” ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1976 "2025-02-14T09:48:56Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > Who is Hegseth talking to? The viewers of Hannity? Some kind of military convention? He’s creating another Fake Problem. “Oh, it will take 7 years to fix our weak navy!”, then, “Good news everyone! the Glorious Leader fixed it all in 6 months!” ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1977 "2025-02-14T11:11:21Z")
Trump is not the captain of the ship anymore. He’s the wooden blockhead stapled to the front as a figurehead. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2025, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1978 "2025-02-14T13:37:30Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Trump is not the captain of the ship anymore At the moment if he’s at the White House, he can follow Alexander Haig’s “I’m in charge here” (nm - 25th amendment stuff) And a Russian drone blew a hole in the shield at Chernobyl. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1979 "2025-02-14T14:02:01Z")
(This is my own quote, edited slightly for brevity) > [@Mijin](#): > > The US’ main advantages in the 21st century: > > 1. Biggest free market > 2. Network of alliances > 3. World reserve currency > > We’re two weeks into Trump’s term and he’s already started tearing down (1) and (2). And I think now we can add (3). Because Trump has threatened the BRICS with a 100% tariff if they switch from the dollar. Why do I think this is tearing down (3)? Because it’s not like he’s explaining the benefits of keeping the dollar. So, in total, he’s drawn attention to the option of switching from the dollar, made it sound like something you have to be bullied into keeping, and used a threat that we’ve already seen him withdraw with zero concessions, or shrink to much less than previously threatened. I think some are going to take that dare. While others will be waiting to see what happens to them and will join if Trump doesn’t follow through. As usual the trump card (so to speak) is no obvious single currency to take the dollar’s place, but Trump is heavily motivating leaders to look elsewhere, even if it’s a more fragmented market. > **[Donald Trump says threat of 100% tariffs stopped bloc from 'playing games'...](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/brics-is-dead-trump-says-threat-of-100-tariffs-stopped-bloc-from-playing-games-with-us-dollar/articleshow/118225735.cms)** > > US News: US President Donald Trump warned Brics nations against launching a common currency, threatening a 100% tariff on all US imports. Declaring Brics “dead ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1980 "2025-02-14T14:57:38Z")
> [@natureboy](#): > > Trump will eventually fade from view one way or another. The authoritarian vehicle he leaves behind will remain and be of use to whoever drives it. Don’t fixate on Trump. This is a team effort. Just last Sunday, I think he golfed, then travelled to the Superbowl. Not saying any of that required superhuman effort, but it was more than sitting propped up behind a desk. His voice (when I cannot avoid hearing it) seems wheezier than before, and his thoughts even more disjointed/superficial (if that is possible.) Sure he is older and appears more unhealthy, but I primarily interpreted what I saw as a lack of interest. He got what he wanted - freedom from prosecution. And now he is the center of attention - being worshipped by his sycophants. And he is pissing off the libs, and hurting anyone who previously failed to defer to his every whim. For him, being President is nothing more than an extended photo-op, and an opportunity to spew whatever inanities and hateful ideas cross his mind through a massive megaphone. So long as that continues - AND the libs remain upset - he is content to let his minions/controllers do what they wish. The real question is what happens when he dies - or clearly becomes incapacitated. Or if he does not attemot to stay in office \> 4 years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=98) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=100)