# 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:** 215
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4281 "2026-04-09T11:18:00Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > > [@Wes Burdine on Bluesky](#): > > > > Robert Kennedy has begun a Diet of Worms Do the worms have to be roadkill? ---
**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 9, 2026, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4282 "2026-04-09T11:28:57Z")
# **Trump says he’s considering ‘joint venture’ with Iran for Strait of Hormuz tolls** > President Trump on Wednesday said he is considering the formation of a “joint venture” with Iran to set up tolls in the Strait of Hormuz after the Trump administration and Tehran agreed to a [two-week ceasefire deal](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-suspends-attacks-iran-2-224717803.html). > > ABC News’s Jonathan Karl asked Trump if he approved of Iran’s [plan to charge vessels](https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5814089-strait-hormuz-iran-trump-leverage/mlite/) a fee for passing through the strait — a key channel through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil is transported. > > “We’re thinking of doing it as a joint venture,” the president told Karl, who shared [Trump’s response](https://x.com/jonkarl/status/2041839012097229086?s=46) on the social platform X. “It’s a way of securing it — also securing it from lots of other people. It’s a beautiful thing.” I can just see how this idea came into Trumnp’s mind. He thought about Iran charging fees to use the Strait of Hormuz and his mind went into Otis B. Driftwood mode 9after hearing about how much Rodolfo Lassparri was getting), complete with the comically loud aside. “Two million a ship – there must be a way I can get a piece of that. Hold on, Gottlieb, I represent Mrs. Claypool, uh, Iran.” So this way a fee is charged on every ship going through Hormuz, and Trump, uh, the US gets a part of it. So what if Iran also gets part of it - at least we won’t have to fight them over it. It’s a win-win! Except: 1.) The Iranians would immediately say “Why do we need you?” 2.) if Trump actually did succeed in setting up such partnership, you know that he’d insist on the US collecting the fees. And then forgetting to give their share to Iran. ---
**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 9, 2026, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4283 "2026-04-09T11:33:04Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > 1.) The Iranians would immediately say “Why do we need you?” > > 2.) if Trump actually did succeed in setting up such partnership, you know that he’d insist on the US collecting the fees. And then forgetting to give their share to Iran. Exactly my thought. Trump _doesn’t do_ sharing; it’s a given he plans to somehow take all the money for himself. Something I’m sure the Iranians are bright enough to realize. I do think there’s good odds they’ll let him think that as long as possible, in hopes of the US getting bogged down in something else. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4284 "2026-04-09T12:01:23Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > > “I know you’re worried about it, but it’s going to be OK,” the president said. Mr. Carlson asked how he knew. “Because it always is,” Of course. He just manifests that it always does. And later he manifests that whatever did happen IS a good result. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2026, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4285 "2026-04-09T12:05:05Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > With this news about lecturing and threatening the Pope, can we officially conclude that JD Vance is currently the Worst Catholic In The World? The worst one not currently accused of pedophilia, although give it time… ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4286 "2026-04-09T13:29:12Z")
Are you sure the couch was 18? ---
**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:** [April 9, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4287 "2026-04-09T13:52:18Z")
It wasn’t his fault! The thing dressed like a love seat. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4288 "2026-04-09T16:17:15Z")
So Vance has explained Israel continuing to bomb Lebanon by claiming that the Iranians misunderstood that not bombing Lebanon was part of the deal because they don’t speak English well enough. Gee, I have no idea how a problem like that could have been dealt with before the negotiations. If only there were people skilled in multiple languages who could convert the ideas from one language to another. It would be just like having a magical fish in your ear (IYKYK). By the way Vance sweetie, how’s your Farsi? Could it be that YOU don’t completely understand THEIR language??? ---
**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 9, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4289 "2026-04-09T16:25:00Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > because they don’t speak English well enough. That’s ridiculous, anyone sent by Iran to negotiate probably speaks English better than Vance. (And Trump, but that’s not a high bar) ---
**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 9, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4290 "2026-04-09T16:46:56Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > It would be just like having a magical fish in your ear What are you babeling on about? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4291 "2026-04-09T16:58:08Z")
What negotiations? Between the US and Iran? ---
**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:** [April 9, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4292 "2026-04-09T17:29:14Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > By the way Vance sweetie, how’s your Farsi? He’s fluent in Farcical. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4293 "2026-04-09T17:30:37Z")
Rather than demolish the ballroom, I’d like to see it renamed _The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Barack H Obama Ballroom._ ---
**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 9, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4294 "2026-04-09T17:31:52Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > > [@psychobunny](#): > > > > By the way Vance sweetie, how’s your Farsi? > > He’s fluent in Farcical. I love this! It fits! There should be different dialects as well. ---
**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 9, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4295 "2026-04-09T17:32:53Z")
So petty… I love it. ---
**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 9, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4296 "2026-04-09T17:56:36Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Barack H Obama Ballroom. A _bathroom_ won the Nobel Peace Prize? Man, Trump is really going to be pissed off now! ---
**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:** [April 9, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4297 "2026-04-09T18:14:31Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > That’s not the same as ordering them to attack people. Of course not. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/65/Kent_State_massacre.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/65/Kent_State_massacre.jpg) ---
**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 9, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4298 "2026-04-09T19:33:05Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > If only there were people skilled in multiple languages who could convert the ideas from one language to another. What, wizards? No human could do this. Maybe AI. (At least, this is how I fear contemporary Americans are thinking.) ---
**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 9, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4299 "2026-04-09T19:53:35Z")
Nobody: Melania: STOP TELLING PEOPLE I WAS FRIENDS WITH EPSTEIN > **[Melania Trump says she ‘never had a relationship’ with Jeffrey Epstein – US...](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/apr/09/democrats-war-powers-resolution-iran-republicans-melania-donald-trump-latest-news-updates)** > > First lady holds press conference where she also said ‘I am not Epstein’s victim’; it was unclear whether she was responding to any specific accusations ---
**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 9, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/4300 "2026-04-09T19:56:11Z")
… Not his victim. Not in a “relationship”. So was she his partner then? His procurement agent? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=214) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=216)