# 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:** 370
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7381 "2026-07-22T19:00:07Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Same as it ever was … [_War is a Racket_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Is_a_Racket) > [War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War#Economic_theories "War") is a [racket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racket_(crime) "Racket (crime)"). It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small “inside” group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7382 "2026-07-22T19:01:05Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Yes, but all that profit arises out of them explicitly _not_ running the military (or the war) as a business. Name another business that routinely buys multi-million dollar assets, and then just blows them up, without any expectation of a pay-off that more than offsets that loss. I definitely take your point, but I’d argue that war is an inherently _unique_ business, but a business, nonetheless. A restaurant may sell food that is eaten, and – once eaten – needs to be replenished and for which new customers must be identified. One and done does not a successful restaurant make. While the metaphor risks me torturing it (excuse me: _employing enhanced interrogation techniques against it_), I think there’s validity. Much the same can be said of any perishable product. The glaring difference in the military-industrial complex is that their revenue is capped _until and unless_ their product is used by the end consumer. While its shelf life isn’t infinite, it’s probably quite long. Which is, in part, why “war and peace” is probably the highest item on my list of “American Exceptionalism” and perverse incentives. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7383 "2026-07-22T19:02:27Z")
You seem to be downplaying what is clearly an extraordinary victory – possibly on a par {NPI} with Trump winning one of his own golf tournaments at one of his own golf courses. But you are, of course, forgiven 😉 ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7384 "2026-07-22T19:14:40Z")
Registered as an independent voter I could request a primary ballot for any of the established parties in the state. This year I asked for the Republican ballot, mainly to give Andy Biggs, running for governor, a poke in the eye. Several positions had only one candidate and I did not vote for them as it only encourages them. Of the ones with two candidates I looked for one that was less MAGAt and voted for them. There was not always a difference I could find so I did not vote theirs either. Just to show how complacent or disorganized they are, in Arizona the districts for the state House and Senate are the same, we just vote for two reps and one senator in each district. In my legislative district there was only one Republican for the house. Monday evening I got a text message from some guy who was running as a write-in candidate so there wouldn’t be only one Republican running for that district in the general election. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7385 "2026-07-22T19:49:17Z")
“The Hormuz Street” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mrb3js4qjf2k)** > > Trump: "We don't need the Hormuz Street" ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7386 "2026-07-22T19:53:32Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Grandpa is thrilled to announce that Arizona Republicans won every race in the (checks notes) Republican primary. If Biden said that… Sigh ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7387 "2026-07-22T20:12:58Z")
Why would Biden care about the republican primaries? > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > {NPI} I know you mean No Pun Intended, but this is also the Spanish abreviation for _Ni Puta Idea_ (~ No Fucking Idea) and it confuses me for a couple of seconds every time. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7388 "2026-07-22T20:31:21Z")
“Pinky Herman” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mrb5bsandx2k)** > > Trump: "I fought Ossoff before, as you know, And we won. He reminds me of Pinky Herman." “The Communists want to take Mt. Rushmore down. They want to blow it up.” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mrb5maegr72t)** > > Trump says communists are trying to blow up Mount Rushmore “Go out and buy a Dell computer.” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mrb4upce3c2q)** > > Trump: "Go out and buy a Dell computer" “We’re building a tremendous military facility at the White House. It’s a ballroom with a drone port on top.” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mrb4ql34by2h)** > > Trump: "We're building a tremendous military facility at the White House. It's a ballroom with a drone port on top." ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7389 "2026-07-22T20:51:20Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > “The Hormuz Street” Yeah, if you try to drive cars on it, they just sink. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7390 "2026-07-22T21:03:37Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > You seem to be downplaying what is clearly an extraordinary victory – possibly on a par {NPI} with Trump winning one of his own golf tournaments at one of his own golf courses. It’s a tough call: is Trump actually convinced that the PRIMARY race = the General Election\*? Or is he simply following his usual imperative to _Declare Victory All the Time_? If it’s the first, it’s another example of delusional thinking that **should** make a difference to Republicans (but likely won’t). If it’s the second, it’s more a case of Donald’s annoying habits. . . \* Of course there are states in which the primary winners are nearly always the general-election winners, too. But Arizona isn’t one of them. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7391 "2026-07-22T21:08:00Z")
It’s occurred to me why Hegseth is so determined to inject T into the troops. It’s so whenever Trump meets one of them they will actually be “big, strong men.” ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7392 "2026-07-22T21:18:07Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > It’s occurred to me why Hegseth is so determined to inject T into the troops. It’s so whenever Trump meets one of them they will actually be “big, strong men. ” Who will be required to always carry a cut-open onion, for use in inducing tears when needed. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7393 "2026-07-22T21:29:24Z")
In their belts, as used to be the style at the time. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7394 "2026-07-22T21:31:34Z")
I thought chemical weapons were illegal? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7395 "2026-07-22T21:32:07Z")
It’s rather amazing how often the writers of that show have been able to predict our horrible present. (Not that Hegseth’s military IS already wearing onions on their belts…but who would be surprised if they were to start?) ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7396 "2026-07-22T21:34:47Z")
I’ll worry even more when they start ranting that there are too many states these days ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7397 "2026-07-22T22:14:18Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > It’s a ballroom with a drone port on top. Port or target: You decide. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7398 "2026-07-22T23:41:48Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Worldwide warning issued by State Department. And then the fucking idiot tweets encouraging travel to… Lebanon. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7399 "2026-07-22T23:51:21Z")
Lebanon is, according to the US’s own State Department, at a Level 4 travel advisory meaning _do not travel there_. I would link but for some odd reason, [state.gov](http://state.gov) will not load. You can find this info by searching for _Lebanon travel advisory_. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/7400 "2026-07-23T00:37:22Z")
As previously mentioned, the Trump stench may be sufficient to eliminate the need for onions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=369) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=371)