# 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:** 429
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8561 "2026-09-05T22:41:21Z")
“Great job, sir! You don’t look anything at all like an eighty-year-old wearing a toupee!” ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8562 "2026-09-05T22:55:39Z")
😲 Is… Is that real? ---
**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:** [September 5, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8563 "2026-09-05T23:02:08Z")
Yep. (The photo, that is, not the hair.) [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xmfq7bxnoqdhztzzeznehnuy/bafkreig2an6xlhtafudzsuvvn6gvbwqmub3fxdleq3ygap6dzwlfudenom) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xmfq7bxnoqdhztzzeznehnuy/bafkreig2an6xlhtafudzsuvvn6gvbwqmub3fxdleq3ygap6dzwlfudenom) ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8564 "2026-09-05T23:03:17Z")
It’s not orangutan now. Is that beaver? ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8565 "2026-09-05T23:07:35Z")
“No, I don’t wear wigs. Why do you ask?” ---
**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:** [September 5, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8566 "2026-09-05T23:09:22Z")
Now we know what happened to that tattered blanket that Kristi Noem left on the plane: [**Coast Guard Pilot Was Fired After Kristi Noem’s Blanket Got Left Behind on Plane: Report - People**](https://people.com/coast-guard-pilot-fired-after-kristi-noem-blanket-left-behind-report-11906222) I think Trump just didn’t put it on straight. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2026, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8567 "2026-09-06T01:12:22Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > “No, I don’t wear wigs. Why do you ask?” “The ~~critter~~ wig wears me!” [Pardon me! No, pardon me! Pardon me! No, pardon me for my drug crimes!](https://www.aol.com/articles/trump-grants-clemency-30-people-013949000.html) > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump granted clemency this week to 30 people, including Emory Jones, a longtime associate of rap mogul Jay-Z, White House “pardon czar” Alice Marie Johnson posted on Friday. Good thing he was on dry land when he committed his drug offenses. And, to nobody’s surprise, the dictator is a hypocrite. [What convenient timing.](https://www.aol.com/articles/kennedy-center-renews-call-trump-171054000.html) > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON (AP) — A chunk of ceiling fell inside a main hallway of [the Kennedy Center](https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-center-trump-renovation-closure-dbe395cc48899afca3a172adecbfb74f), according to a spokesperson who said the damage underscores the need to shut down the historic arts venue for renovations sought by President Donald Trump. > > No one was injured when a piece of the ceiling inside the Kennedy Center’s grand foyer collapsed Friday evening, said Roma Daravi, the center’s vice president for public relations. > > Photos provided by the center showed a large hole in the high ceiling and debris littering the red carpet in part of the hallway that connects the Kennedy Center’s three main performance auditoriums. The damage occurred during stormy weather in Washington. [Judge calls out the felon’s admin.](https://www.aol.com/articles/judge-indicates-trumps-pressure-campaign-172021000.html) (The **bolding** is mine.) > [@](#): > > In Friday’s hearing, Judge Edelman pressed an attorney from Pirro’s office, Michael Spence, on why prosecutors would object to dismissing the case with prejudice when they’ve received no evidence thus far suggesting anything Hearn did was a crime. > > “I don’t know what the future will bring – none of us do,” Spence answered, adding if evidence did ultimately surface, “there’s no reason this court should tie the hands of a future grand jury to bring that indictment.” > > “Where is it gonna come from?” Edelman asked. > > “That I don’t know,” Spence answered. > > When asked by Edelman whether prosecutors were still investigating Hearn’s conduct, Spence said they were not. > > “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is not, no,” Spence answered. > > At one point, Edelman zeroed in on Trump’s public comments about Hearn’s case and his public suggestions he might fire Pirro if she doesn’t revisit her decision to drop the case. > > **“How do I conclude these statements as anything other than statement by the chief executive urging your office to pursue a prosecution that you have told me is meritless?” Edelman pressed. “Isn’t this a pretty unique threat of not just re-prosecution but meritless re-prosecution?”** [There’s dubious money involved. So, of course there’s a Pentagon deal as a reward.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/venezuelan-billionaire-us-investigated-money-100502036.html) > [@](#): > > CARACAS/MIAMI, Sept 5 (Reuters) - The billionaire who helped broker the Trump administration’s sweeping long-term oil deal with Venezuela was until recently a target of U.S. money-laundering investigations involving funds embezzled from the state-owned oil company PDVSA. Now, after assisting U.S. authorities ahead of the capture of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro, Alejandro Betancourt is Washington’s key partner in an unusual oil agreement with Caracas. [Killer Kennedy caught committing cozenage.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/judge-condemns-rfk-jr-hhs-075305353.html) (The **bolding** is mine.) > [@](#): > > A federal judge has sharply criticized the [Department of Health and Human Services](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/department-health-and-human-services) ([HHS](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/hhs)), led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after finding that studies cited in a key teen pregnancy prevention funding notice appeared either not to exist or did not support the claims for which they were cited, describing the issue as a hallmark of [AI](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/ai)-generated citations. > > In a preliminary injunction ruling issued August 19, District Judge Christopher R. Cooper blocked parts of the Trump administration’s overhaul of the federal Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. > > The lawsuit challenges changes made by HHS that shifted grant priorities toward abstinence-focused education and a concept called “body literacy.” The plaintiffs argued the agency was moving away from longstanding evidence-based approaches to preventing teen pregnancy. > > **Cooper wrote: “On the topic of body literacy, the notices (remarkably) reference public health studies that appear either not to exist or not to support the propositions for which they are cited—a hallmark of AI-generated citations.”** > > **He went on to point to expert testimony submitted in the case that found five of seven articles cited in the notices could not be located as described, with two appearing to be entirely fabricated and three seemingly misattributed to the wrong journals.** > > **“And according to the early-stage factual record, there seem to be no pregnancy prevention curricula and programs that ‘center [on] body literacy’ and other newly-imposed TPP requirements,” he said.** [The felon’s floating yet another braindead “idea”](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-could-tremendous-good-ourselves-130000013.html) > [@](#): > > President Trump explained the philosophy behind his trade policy during a press conference Friday in the Oval Office: “We could do tremendous good for ourselves by just not trading with countries.” > > “We lose with Mexico $195 billion a year,” Trump said. “If I don’t trade with Mexico, they have nothing that we have to have. I mean, hot tamales? Tomatoes? A couple of things? Basically, they have nothing we need. We have oil. We have everything.” > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Now we know what happened to that tattered blanket that Kristi Noem left on the plane: > > **[Coast Guard Pilot Was Fired After Kristi Noem’s Blanket Got Left Behind on Plane: Report - People](https://people.com/coast-guard-pilot-fired-after-kristi-noem-blanket-left-behind-report-11906222)** > > I think Trump just didn’t put it on straight. Of course he didn’t. Crooked is as crooked does. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8568 "2026-09-06T02:24:11Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Trump is suddenly looking very different today. And Mary Trump, his niece, commented about what this meant for Fred Trump (Donald’s dad) when he did something similar: > **[Trump niece offers ominous parallel to his dad Fred after viral ‘wig’ debate](https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/trump-hair-weave-niece-wig-debate-b3029790.html)** > > Mary Trump says her uncle’s sudden focus on his appearance mirrors his late father, Fred Trump, who became obsessed with hair loss after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s From the article: > According to Mary, the elder Trump grew increasingly preoccupied with his hair loss after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, eventually wearing an ill-fitting toupee and dyeing both his hair and mustache. > > “He would leave the dye on too long. So he would end up with a magenta mustache,” she said, adding that family members, including Donald Trump, found the situation embarrassing. “And now here’s Donald potentially… being all obsessed about his hair kind of like his dad.” ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8569 "2026-09-06T12:18:09Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > (If it has some denomination stamped on it and is released by a third party, it is counterfeit money and very illegal.) Only if the holder attempts to pass it off as legal tender. As an example prop money for movies is legal, even though it looks a LOT like US legal tender (or, presumably, the tender of some other nation) and that banner across the top saying “movie money” or something of the sort. It’s not counterfeit when used as intended. It only becomes counterfeit when someone attempts to pass it off as real money when making a purchase. As happens a couple times a year at the store where I work. I will also note that apparently it is also legal for a party to refuse a particular denomination of money for a transaction. So, for example, a business _could_ refuse dollar coins, just as a business can refuse to accept $50 or $100 bills. So even if the Trump coins are legal they can still be refused by a merchant. Also - it’s not legal to put a live person on US money. So… Trump is either deceased, undead, or breaking the law. Again. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8570 "2026-09-06T12:51:45Z")
For those following the Trump coin thing … [**Coin Programs in the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act**](https://www.usmint.gov/news/inside-the-mint/coin-programs-in-the-circulating-collectible-coin-redesign-act) > In 2026, the Mint will recognize the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. To celebrate this significant milestone, the Mint will redesign select circulating coin designs for 2026. The Mint will also release a “Best of the Mint” coin collection that reflects the rich numismatic history of the United States. [**H.R.1923 - Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 - Congress.gov**](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1923) Though you and I may not read the situation and the law that way, these coins may not ultimately be (adjudged to be) illegal. Because SCOTUS. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8571 "2026-09-06T13:47:17Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Trump is either deceased, undead, or breaking the law. I’m going to go with undead. Him breaking the law is so cliche. Besides, the way he looks and reputedly smells certainly suggests undead. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8572 "2026-09-06T14:23:31Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > For those following the Trump coin thing … > > [**Coin Programs in the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act**](https://www.usmint.gov/news/inside-the-mint/coin-programs-in-the-circulating-collectible-coin-redesign-act) > > > In 2026, the Mint will recognize the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. To celebrate this significant milestone, the Mint will redesign select circulating coin designs for 2026. The Mint will also release a “Best of the Mint” coin collection that reflects the rich numismatic history of the United States. > > [**H.R.1923 - Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 - Congress.gov**](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1923) > > Though you and I may not read the situation and the law that way, these coins may not ultimately be (adjudged to be) illegal. > > Because SCOTUS. The relevant portion of that 2020 law states: “No head and shoulders portrait or bust of any person, living or dead, and no portrait of a living person may be included in the design on the reverse of specified coins.” So that is written pretty vaguely, and entirely in the negative (i.e. prohibiting things). The administration is taking the view that the new law implies that a living person may be portrayed on the _obverse_ of the coin, but since there is another law on the books (cited [above](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8556)) that says “only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency,” that seems like a stretch to me. But I agree the Roberts court will interpret this in the manner most favorable to Trump. (Because it’s ok when Trump does it.) ---
**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:** [September 6, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8573 "2026-09-06T14:32:06Z")
> [@](#): > > Roy certainly had an unorthodox approach to the law. He loved to say, “Don’t tell me what the law is; tell me who the judge is.” [The quote is given to us by David Marcus, Roy Cohn’s cousin] [**SOURCE**](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/interview/david-marcus/) **[Roy Cohn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Cohn)**. Trump’s mentor. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8574 "2026-09-06T16:31:53Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > > [@bobot](#): > > > > A cosmopolitan gentleman. > > [Distinguished](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/look-at-this-distinguished-gentleman), even. Exactly what I immediately thought of. I watch a lot of animal vids when I’m feeling down… ---
**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:** [September 6, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8575 "2026-09-06T18:28:10Z")
Meanwhile, grandpa is slop-posting again. [![](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17996/7a4f781a660b5225-dd943bbd0460.jpg) ](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17996/7a4f781a660b5225-dd943bbd0460.jpg) [![](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17997/71e3d9d1bb4522e1-225aec1073a1.jpg) ](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17997/71e3d9d1bb4522e1-225aec1073a1.jpg) [![](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17991/2b6d54789d69a3b9-cdbfc9fe5210.jpg) ](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17991/2b6d54789d69a3b9-cdbfc9fe5210.jpg) [![](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17992/2c6aa05441df49c0-20fc4f46e4ee.jpg) ](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17992/2c6aa05441df49c0-20fc4f46e4ee.jpg) [![](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17994/04b4cd21edcb341f-51d8ca8e6400.jpg) ](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17994/04b4cd21edcb341f-51d8ca8e6400.jpg) [![](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17988/9eaa9c0034ec8ad4-1314aa2abd2f.jpg) ](https://truth-archive.us-iad-1.linodeobjects.com/attachments/17988/9eaa9c0034ec8ad4-1314aa2abd2f.jpg) ---
**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:** [September 6, 2026, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8576 "2026-09-06T18:42:41Z")
Nice uniforms, have an elegant SS look and feel. Probably **[manufactured](https://duitdesign.com/did-hugo-boss-design-the-ss-uniform.html)** by Hugo Boss? Cool. And those pointy collar insignias, belt buckle and sleeve patches? Uplifting. With a thinly disguised christian cross, so we know who the **[goodies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToKcmnrE5oY)** are (not). ---
**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:** [September 6, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8577 "2026-09-06T18:43:22Z")
The worst (and it’s a tough choice) is the map of the middle east. Someone had to generate that completely wrong map. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8578 "2026-09-06T18:46:58Z")
Seems reasonably accurate, it just has south pointing up. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8579 "2026-09-06T18:47:05Z")
Are you sure it is completely wrong? It seems broadly correct to me, only turned around 180°, like the Global South likes it. Not going to check the details though. ETA: ninja’d, of course. Serves me right for being so very much not succint. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/8580 "2026-09-06T18:48:41Z")
He heard that people want him to dye, and he didn’t want to disappoint them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=428) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=430)