# The Trump Administration: The Clusterfuck Continues (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [December 1, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298 "2025-12-01T20:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 212
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4221 "2026-04-08T15:25:54Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > And Trump will accept all of that, because he’ll be making cash off the deal. And their incentive to actually pay the US anything at all is….? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4222 "2026-04-08T15:26:20Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > I wonder how he plans to enforce it? will tankers be boarded by the U.S. navy if they don’t pay the toll? fired upon? In what’s left of his mind, Trump probably envisions a gigantic toll booth made of gold with a heroic statue of himself on top (also gold). Ships stop at the toll booth and crewmen throw sacks of money into collection chutes. With all the $$$ collected, American taxpayers will receive nonexistent gas refund checks to go along with their imaginary tariff refund checks. It’s a massive win-win. The “Donald Trump International Hormuz Tollway” sounds about right. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4223 "2026-04-08T15:27:30Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > A brutal assessment of Trump’s “resounding victory” in getting a cease-fire…[from the National Review](https://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/iran-prepares-to-dupe-the-west-again/). Thanks for this. It may be a brutal assessment, but I think it’s accurate and fair. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4224 "2026-04-08T15:27:31Z")
Well, of course! It’s not just better, it’s the best by far, no one can believe how ultimate the biggest and best it is. trump promised us we would get sick of all the winning, and by gosh he was absolutely right. What a visionary. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4225 "2026-04-08T15:28:15Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > The “Donald Trump International Hormuz Tollway” sounds about right. Informally called “The Colossus of the ~~Strait~~ Straight” ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4226 "2026-04-08T15:28:52Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Will the necessary naval presence cost more than what’s extorted from the passing ships? > It sounds thoroughly trumpian in it’s half-assed-ness Well, of course. But the taxpayers pay for the naval ships, while Trump and his cronies get the cash. WINNING! ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4227 "2026-04-08T15:28:53Z")
Grown men, tears, Sir, etc… ---
**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, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4228 "2026-04-08T15:32:06Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > And their incentive to actually pay the US anything at all is….? They wouldn’t _dare_ not pay Trump, The Only Person In The World That Matters, would they? That’s _crazy_ talk. If you’re Trump, at least. ---
**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, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4229 "2026-04-08T15:32:41Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > And their incentive to actually pay the US anything at all is….? It will stop Trump blowing blowing up all their shit. If this plan comes to fruition, it will be a huge gain for Iran. They’d have to be complete idiots to scuttle the deal by stiffing Trump. It’s all free money to them, too, money they’d never get otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4230 "2026-04-08T15:33:31Z")
Iran will be getting the money, not the USA. We just gave them a multi billion dollar deal. Trump probably does not understand. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4231 "2026-04-08T15:35:01Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Grown men, tears, Sir, etc… 7 former Presidents approve! ---
**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, 2026, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4232 "2026-04-08T15:35:25Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > It will stop Trump flowing blowing up all their shit. They have no reason to believe that. Trump consistently fails to keep his side of agreements. ---
**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, 2026, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4233 "2026-04-08T15:38:41Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Trump consistently fails to keep his side of agreements. That’s when those agreements _cost_ him money. Have you ever seen an example of Trump pulling out of a deal that _pays_ him money? “[Money For Nothing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTP2RUD_cL0)” is practically his theme song. He licences his name and brand for anything at all, because it brings in cash for zero effort. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4234 "2026-04-08T15:48:46Z")
I don’t know. It strikes me that most people know better than to enter into a protection racket with a dishonest bully. For all their faults, I don’t think Iranians are as naïve or cowardly as American leaders seem to be. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4235 "2026-04-08T16:34:14Z")
Iran’s 10 point plan is a non-starter. Even they know this. **Frodo** has pointed out this is just a maximal starting point for negotiations. Here’s an alternative plan that Iran might just accept: - Return to the treaty that the Obama administration hammered out with Iran in 2015 - Strait of Hormuz recognized as international waters with free travel for all ships - No reparations, but the US hands over Trump and Hegseth to Iran for trials. One can dream. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4236 "2026-04-08T16:37:59Z")
Best it can be realistically be hoped for, IMHO would be: - Return to the treaty that the Obama administration hammered out with Iran in 2015 - Strait of Hormuz recognized as international waters with free travel for all ships (So, your first two points) But the problem is: What guarantees does anyone have that Trump/Israel will not start bombing Iran again whenever they feel like it?. A clause indicating that Iran will close the strait again in such a case it’s probably a step too far for a diplomatic agreement, but I guess it could be heavily implied. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4237 "2026-04-08T16:40:04Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > But the problem is: What guarantees does anyone have that Trump/Israel will not start bombing Iran again whenever they feel like it?. No guarantees at all that Trump will not start bombing ANY country whenever he feels like it. The US is being run by a decrepit narcissist, slipping further into dementia every day, propped up by a group of sycophants who are profiting from the crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4238 "2026-04-08T16:42:17Z")
An obvious motivation for Trump getting in on Hormuz ~~toll~~ ~~tribute~~ blackmail action is payback for European allies not sending their military to bail him out of his war failure. The way he sees it, revenge on them is totally worthwhile, even if it keeps gas prices high in the U.S. and damages our economy as well as theirs. Just more fuel for a potentially whopping Republican defeat in November. ---
**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, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4239 "2026-04-08T17:18:35Z")
From the Huffington Post right now: ## **Iran Halts Passage Of Oil Tankers Through Strait Of Hormuz: Report** > **Iran has stopped the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, [according to Iran state media](https://x.com/EnglishFars/status/2041889399794000132).** > > **The halt comes after Israel bombed Lebanon on Wednesday, breaking the two-week ceasefire.** > > **President Donald Trump [claimed Wednesday](https://x.com/ElizLanders/status/2041878299454955640) that Lebanon was not a part of the ceasefire.** Trump sounds like Ross from _Friends_ objecting that “they were on a break”. > **[U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Already Being Tested, Pete Hegseth Holds Pentagon...](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/latest-updates_n_69d3a02fe4b05537a7f1b1ba/liveblog_69d67b21e4b048dba44a52fd)** > > Follow the latest news on the major headlines of the day. But… > **In announcing the deal, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Iran, the U.S. and Israel had agreed to an “immediate ceasefire everywhere [including Lebanon and elsewhere](https://x.com/CMShehbaz/status/2041665043423752651)” that was “EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.”** > **[U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Already Being Tested, Pete Hegseth Holds Pentagon...](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/latest-updates_n_69d3a02fe4b05537a7f1b1ba?um3)** > > Follow the latest news on the major headlines of the day. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4240 "2026-04-08T17:39:53Z")
Well that didn’t even last a day. 🫩 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=211) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=213)