# 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:** 260
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5181 "2026-05-07T02:07:25Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > we will KNOW that the fix is in. Is there any doubt? ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5182 "2026-05-07T06:56:22Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Eight-eight is the correct number. 86? Or is that allowed any more in the land of the free. ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5183 "2026-05-07T07:24:21Z")
I’m just baffled that Trump’s fabulisms are still able to move the oil market. Decision-makers in the industry are following and acting on White House announcements without noticing that they have consistently been baseless? ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5184 "2026-05-07T07:45:52Z")
Same bafflement here. In a rational world, one where past experience is a guide, doing the opposite of what he utters would be the rational course of action. Instead financial operators pretend that what he claims is anchored in reality. I am suspecting more and more that some national wealth funds (Saudi Arabia?) and the richest billionaires on the planet are manipulating the market with buying orders. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5185 "2026-05-07T07:56:02Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > I’m just baffled that Trump’s fabulisms are still able to move the oil market. Welcome to late-stage capitalism. Everything is broken. The entire system is pathological. Companies operate on a make-line-go-up mentality where the next quarter’s P&L statement is the only thing that matters whether or not it’s good for the long-term health of the business. Cannibalizing the parts of the business that actually generate long-term revenue in the name of creating the ILLUSION of growth is what inspires rich idiots to throw money at you. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to go bankrupt next year because you can cash out before then and it’ll be some other sucker’s problem. Goods and services are irrelevant and so are the customers. Just move money from one account to another so it looks like profit is being generated and that’s the only thing that matters. The economic reform we’re gonna need after this house of cards comes crashing down is gonna make the New Deal look like a picnic in the park. ---
**Author:** ![Rejutka\_Lupex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rejutka\_Lupex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rejutka_Lupex)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5186 "2026-05-07T08:28:23Z")
Looking at that bottle - how insecure (and ignorant) can someone be? Not only is his name (and function) prominently in the center picture (Director Kash Patel), but again just below, in case you forgot: it’s “Kash Patel”, who is “FBI Director”. The center picture is fine, but why the repetition? That space should be used for a meaningful quote (which probably would be “Drink up!” or something…) ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5187 "2026-05-07T08:40:09Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > > [@Monty](#): > > > > Eight-eight is the correct number. > > 86? Or is that allowed any more in the land of the free. 88 is a well-known number connected to one particular dictator. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5188 "2026-05-07T08:48:29Z")
> [@Rejutka\_Lupex](#): > > which probably would be “Drink up!” or something… Modern French Latin [![](https://assets.catawiki.com/image/cw_normal/plain/assets/catawiki/assets/2017/12/27/9/5/b/95bec42e-467c-477b-8828-88ab1ae2b88f.jpg) ](https://assets.catawiki.com/image/cw_normal/plain/assets/catawiki/assets/2017/12/27/9/5/b/95bec42e-467c-477b-8828-88ab1ae2b88f.jpg) or classical historical Latin [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xMCviNp7JP8/hqdefault.jpg) ](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xMCviNp7JP8/hqdefault.jpg) Both way above his pay grade or comprehension level. Perhaps better just write _Bottoms up!_ and think of Queen and bicycles? ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5189 "2026-05-07T08:59:50Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > > [@DesertDog](#): > > > > > [@Monty](#): > > > > > > Eight-eight is the correct number. > > > > 86? Or is that allowed any more in the land of the free. > > 88 is a well-known number connected to one particular dictator. Indeed. The 8th letter of the alphabet is H. So 88 means “HH,” or “Heil Hitler.” I know you know this, @Monty I’m just elaborating in case someone else isn’t. Kinda like when someone posts some other abbreviation, and the reader asks what it means. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5190 "2026-05-07T09:02:08Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > I’m just baffled that Trump’s fabulisms are still able to move the oil market. > > Decision-makers in the industry are following and acting on White House announcements without noticing that they have consistently been baseless? The people who run the world, especially business are largely fools; Trump himself being one example. They generally aren’t very bright and live isolated from reality in bubbles of yes-men, “handlers” and manipulators. The power of privilege means you don’t _have_ to be educated or smart to become wealthy and powerful. Smart, educated people are the employees, not the bosses. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5191 "2026-05-07T09:24:14Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > Decision-makers in the industry are following and acting on White House announcements without noticing that they have consistently been baseless? Reminds me of a line from Christian Bale’s character in _The Big Short_, when he was shorting the housing mortgage market (or whatever the technical name for it is) and kept losing money because investments weren’t losing their value:- “The market is fraudulent’” ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5192 "2026-05-07T11:04:10Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > I’m just baffled that Trump’s fabulisms are still able to move the oil market. Discussed in Krugman’s Substack today. > **[Grand Theft Oil Futures](https://open.substack.com/pub/paulkrugman/p/grand-theft-oil-futures?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=4y8eu)** > > Insider traders keep making a killing at our expense ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5193 "2026-05-07T15:02:20Z")
> [@Rejutka\_Lupex](#): > > The center picture is fine, but why the repetition? Ego, plain and simple. > [@Rejutka\_Lupex](#): > > That space should be used for a meaningful quote (which probably would be “Drink up!” or something…) Were it a product that was made for actual sale, absolutely. But, in this case, it’s 100% a vanity thing. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5194 "2026-05-07T15:11:15Z")
I think it’ll be a little bit before we see Karoline Leavitt behind the podium. She [just had her child](https://people.com/karoline-leavitt-welcomes-second-baby-11958330). Immaterial to anything, but I just learned about the age difference between her and her husband. She’s 28. He’s 60. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5195 "2026-05-07T15:33:09Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Marco Rubio in the WH press room: Hey Iran, chickity-check yo self before you wreck yo self. > > > Rubio: “They should check themselves before they wreck themselves” Christ, it’s a race to the bottom to see which member of trump’s admin can spout the most stupidly aggressive, childish cliches possible. I thought Kegsbreath was the undisputed champ of that, but this Rubio quote is a strong challenger. These guys make schoolyard bullies seem like William F. Buckley Jr. by comparison. > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Kash Patel gives away personalized bottles of bourbon with his name and title on them. Strange thing is, they’re all mostly empty except for maybe a 1/4" of bourbon left sloshing around on the bottom. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5196 "2026-05-07T15:34:36Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > But, in this case, it’s 100% a vanity thing. I wonder whether the stuff in the bottle is drinkable. Knowing this bunch, it’s probably turpentine laced with rat poison. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5197 "2026-05-07T16:23:59Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Knowing this bunch, it’s probably turpentine laced with rat poison. Somewhat off topic, but in line with Mr Patel’s tastes… I once bought a bottle of “whiskey-flavoured” cane spirit. Took it on a long mountain hike. Drank it with a friend deep in an illegal border crossing into mountains across international borders. I swear, both my, and my friend’s eyes looked exactly like Kash’s weird eyes. Way too open and completely lacking focus. We both passed out on a short hike, then made it back to our cave campsite to further vomit. Not my best moment. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5198 "2026-05-07T16:33:11Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I’m just elaborating in case someone else isn’t. I’d kinda forgotten – there’s so much to keep track of with this bastard – and meant it as a dig at the latest Comey persecution. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > The people who run the world, especially business are largely fools; Trump himself being one example. And inside information. It doesn’t matter _why_ the market moved, just that it did and you were able to take the proper position beforehand. The game is rigged. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5199 "2026-05-07T17:35:32Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > > Some investing pros flagged well-timed trading in the oil market ahead of the latest reports of a US-Iran peace deal. > > This should not really take a genius investigator to figure out. There are records of who bought the short contracts before the major news dropped. It’s going to be obvious. > > If there are no quick investigations followed by arrests and prosecutions we will KNOW that the fix is in. Get real. If you have that kind of insider knowledge, you’re either in the cabinet or related. Who would be investigating? The FBI? The SEC? Why do you think Trump put toadies in charge of all departments? There’s no way in hell that anyone will be investigating and prosecuting this. The best we can hope for is that the statute of limitations hasn’t run out by the time a Democrat gets into the Presidency, 'cause if Vance is POTUS 48, he’ll keep the toadies (or bring in his own reptilians). ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/5200 "2026-05-07T19:13:50Z")
> **[Trump admin plans to divert $2 billion in health funding to pay for USAID...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/07/world/trump-administration-usaid-global-health-funding-intl)** > > The Trump administration plans to redirect $2 billion in funding intended for global health programs to cover the cost of closing the US Agency for International Development (USAID), according to a copy of the notification obtained by CNN. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=259) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=261)