# 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:** 462
**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:** [October 1, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9221 "2026-10-01T20:37:59Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that Elon Musk will co-lead a government project to study the future of warfare, marking the SpaceX CEO’s first return to government since he ran the chaotic, so-called “department of government efficiency”, or Doge. Musk will be joined by Palmer Luckey, CEO of the defense tech company Anduril, and Newt Gingrich, the former Republican speaker of the House. > > A defense department press release on the effort, called Project Meridian, described its goal as “identifying the capabilities required to achieve absolute technological dominance on the next-generation battlefield”. In that same speech Hegseth made a promise about those working for him: [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:qxudeqrdbv6676vzjssrhllo/bafkreiezct5notx3hib7rvvt2et3slo3d22wghvmxi3h6y5hmspubt35gm) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:qxudeqrdbv6676vzjssrhllo/bafkreiezct5notx3hib7rvvt2et3slo3d22wghvmxi3h6y5hmspubt35gm) ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9222 "2026-10-01T23:25:31Z")
I’ve just discovered thst at least 2 trump voters of my acquaintance, after grumbling about how the country is going, will anounce how all polititions are crooks and how they hate all them all. Yes all of them of either party. 🙄 They just don’t learn. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2026, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9223 "2026-10-01T23:31:57Z")
Today on _The President’s Brain Is Missing_; “I love ramp.” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mwtwfricwl2d)** > > "I can go ramp, I can go stairs" -- Trump's audience in Texas gives him an extremely tepid round of applause as he brags about being able to go up stairs without falling “Vaguean” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mwtw6t6mgy2i)** > > Trump on Talarico: "He'll become a vaygan again, he'll go into transgender mutilization again" Don’t worry, Donald, I doubt you’ll ever have that problem > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mwtvoz32mw2i)** > > Trump: "I don't like when men check me out at all" Who ordered the word salad? > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mwtvavscx72r)** > > Trump: "If you add Venezuela we'll have 58% of the fuel in the world. In order to save a glass of fuel like this \*dumps a glass of water\* it's ridiculous. They have computers all over the place, and the other thing is it didn't work well." The man I’m endorsing bucks and I don’t care if he knows I think so > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mwttvpi33i2f)** > > Trump campaigns for Ken Paxton in Texas: "He can be a pain in the ass sometimes, I'll be honest. Is he here, by the way? Oh, there he is. I didn't even know if he was here! I don't care." Even a stopped clock… > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mwtudeofcs2k)** > > Trump: "The only thing we're doing badly at is public relations" Obama was better than me > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mwtp7ucjkk2f)** > > Q: What do you say to those who feel you're using your executive power to go after opponents? > > TRUMP: If you look at Obama, what he did was far worse ... if there was a leak, he'd say 'you have 15 minutes and if you don't give it up, you're going to... BONUS: Hispanics are immune to falling off tall buildings ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9224 "2026-10-02T00:57:18Z")
Here are some quotes from Trump’s Time interview released today. Why bother asking a question. Just point at him and say “go”. [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nrwfu6qrgkidnrecrfk7ftfn/bafkreict5sbcpfie3uju6tenhai5k26dq4s2iiwhtedf7ay4cskjsm7z3q) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nrwfu6qrgkidnrecrfk7ftfn/bafkreict5sbcpfie3uju6tenhai5k26dq4s2iiwhtedf7ay4cskjsm7z3q) Ooohh, he has an ability. Tell us what LLMs are Donald. [![](https://unstuckpolitics.com/uploads/default/original/3X/2/f/2f57e659bc51cfa7eee6b089b2956307046fc18a.png) ](https://unstuckpolitics.com/uploads/default/original/3X/2/f/2f57e659bc51cfa7eee6b089b2956307046fc18a.png) ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9225 "2026-10-02T01:03:02Z")
Time has published the full transcript. Read it if’n ya dare. > **[Read TIME’s ‘What Trump Has Built’ Interview Transcript](https://time.com/article/2026/10/01/donald-trump-2026-interview-transcript/)** > > The U.S. President discussed the war in Iran, press freedom, AI, and more ahead of the midterm elections. ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9226 "2026-10-02T02:31:19Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > In that same speech Hegseth made a promise about those working for him: Posted without comment. [![](https://static0.cbrimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/goodcomics/2008/10/shoemaker4.jpg) ](https://static0.cbrimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/goodcomics/2008/10/shoemaker4.jpg) ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9227 "2026-10-02T05:06:27Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > BONUS: Hispanics are immune to falling off tall buildings If the felon really believes that, why, then, does he insist on building a wall. > [@pjd](#): > > Can you explain how your #ranking numbers are arrived at, I can’t find those > figures in your links. Cheers. Sorry about flubbing the numbers. Here are the real numbers from the links. Louisiana State University (LSU) - Ranking: #202 in National Universities (2026) - - Source Link: [https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural--mechanical-college-2010](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural--mechanical-college-2010) Liberty University - Ranking: #365 in National Universities (2026) - - Source Link: [https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/liberty-university-10392](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/liberty-university-10392) Tuskegee University - Ranking: #7 in Regional Universities South (2026) - - Source Link: [https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/tuskegee-university-1050](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/tuskegee-university-1050) Mississippi State University - Ranking: #208 (tie) in National Universities (2026) - - Source Link: [https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/mississippi-state-university-2423/overall-rankings](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/mississippi-state-university-2423/overall-rankings) Hillsdale College - Ranking: #47 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (2026) - - Source Link: [https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/hillsdale-college-2272](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/hillsdale-college-2272) I really stink at following spreadsheet columns, even if I’m the one who created the thing. I know; it’s sad. [Rip van Simple has some regrets.](https://www.aol.com/articles/trump-says-regrets-nominating-supreme-123634000.html) > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - US President Donald Trump said he regretted nominating three Supreme Court justices — Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh — who have opposed him in recent rulings, according to a Time Magazine interview. > > The Republican president was asked about his recent comments regarding the three conservative justices in the interview, which was conducted on Monday. > > “Do you regret nominating them?” the interviewer asked, referring to Trump’s comments in a recent Truth Social post. > > “Yeah. Yeah,” Trump responded, according to a transcript of the interview. > > “What can I do? I put them in. They voted against me too often. I was very — I gave them the position of a lifetime, and they vote against me often.” Got news for you, convict. We all regret your nominating them. [Oh, it’s going to be a fun Thanksgiving next month when the felon’s ~~mob~~ family gathers.](https://www.aol.com/articles/lara-trump-said-iran-war-204752000.html) > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law addressed a possibility that the White House has largely sought to downplay: The war in Iran could cost Republicans the midterms. > > In an appearance on the YouTube show “[Harry Cole Saves the West](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8WGqAmbyCw)” on Wednesday, [Lara Trump](https://www.businessinsider.com/lara-trump-donald-trump-rnc-2024-3?utm_medium=syndication&utm_source=aol), who is [married to Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump](https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-trump-lara-trump-relationship-timeline?utm_medium=syndication&utm_source=aol), spoke about the possible impact of the war on the midterms as Americans contend with the conflict’s rising economic toll. > > On his show, Cole asked the Fox News host and former cochair of the Republican National Committee about Donald Trump’s handling of the ongoing war, saying that it “could cost him his legacy.” > > “Well, it could cost him these midterms,” Lara Trump said. “I think Donald Trump’s legacy has yet to be written, and I think that in a lot of ways — I still say he’s going to go down in history as one of the greatest presidents, if not the greatest America has ever seen — but you’re right. The last two years really matter.” > > At the White House on Thursday, Donald Trump was asked if he agreed with his daughter-in-law’s political assessment. > > The president told reporters “it’s possible” the war could hurt Republicans in the midterms, but argued it “should help” because Iran would not have a nuclear weapon. > > “So when you say, ‘Is it OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon?’ I would say 100% of the people say no, including worldwide,” he said.“So when you say it that way, it would help. If you don’t say that, it could hurt.” His legacy has already been written. It’s been written in blood of innocents. The body count is over a million, isn’t it? [The felon’s choosing another face from his favorite recruiter, Fox.](https://www.aol.com/articles/donald-trump-shares-next-press-170303000.html) > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump shared his latest pick for the vacant role of White House Press Secretary, and it’s not who you would expect. > > During the C-SPAN broadcast, President Trump, 80, spoke with the press outside the White House. The president held his press conference on the South Lawn, near the helipad. He discussed the role of press secretary, which has been left empty since Karoline Leavitt, 29, left the position at the end of August [after her 2018 throwback photos sparked plastic surgery rumors](https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/karoline-leavitt-plastic-surgery-throwback-1305215). > > Trump called out Fox News’s senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy as a potential pick. A journalist asked, “What are you looking for in a press secretary?” President Trump initially said, “A lot of people want that job. I would say many of them are right here.” The president then pointed his finger at an off-screen reporter, laughed, and said, “You’d like that job.” Trump paused and mumbled, “Uhhhh,” before finally mentioning the co-anchor of The Sunday Briefing for Fox News, “Maybe a guy like Peter.” It comes just days after [a lip reader spotted Ivanka Trump’s 3-word order to JD Vance as they whispered at the White House](https://www.themirror.com/news/politics/ivanka-trumps-3-word-comment-2038827). [The felon’s ridiculous vandalism case against Olympian is permanently dismissed.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/judge-permanently-dismisses-lincoln-memorial-210620485.html) > [@](#): > > A judge on Thursday permanently dismissed the [Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool](https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/washington-dc) vandalism case against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the costly $14 million renovation project in June. > > D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman’s ruling marks the end of a monthslong legal battle that included President [Donald Trump](https://www.foxnews.com/category/person/donald-trump) criticizing U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after she moved to voluntarily dismiss the federal charges in late July. > > Unlike Pirro’s decision, Thursday’s ruling was made with prejudice, meaning the Department of Justice ([Doj](https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/justice-department)) cannot refile the same charges against Hearn. But there is no doubt in my mind the felon and his sneak will try to find some other charges against her. [Rip van Simple really does have a knack for picking people perverted people](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-senate-pick-busted-lying-202723994.html) > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump’s Senate pick denied his connection to a registered sex offender who was sentenced to prison for two convictions involving children—and was caught. > > Republican [Michael Whatley,](https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-north-carolina-senate-pick-michael-whatley-skewered-for-hiring-child-sex-offender-harvey-l-west-jr/) who is running for an open Senate seat in North Carolina, denied through his campaign spokesperson that he played any role in organizing a recent campaign stop with Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—which opened with a prayer from registered sex offender Pastor Daimon L. King, who was convicted of rape and incest. > > The event “was NOT planned nor organized by the Whatley campaign nor did the campaign invite any of the guests,” Whatley spokesman DJ Griffin told the [Associated Press.](https://apnews.com/article/whatley-pastor-sex-offender-prayer-rally-01eab33af03f6a308719ce6a62157451) > > However, materials obtained by the Daily Beast contradict that account. A virtual flyer for the event, obtained by the Daily Beast, reads: “Paid for by Whatley for Senate and Laurie Buckhout for Congress.” [Felon-in-the-Oval is trying to give European governments orders again.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/exclusive-us-tells-france-germany-075321830.html) > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS/PARIS, Oct 1 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has told Germany and France to draw down emergency diesel inventories to help ease soaring global fuel prices or face a potential US diesel export ban, according to three people close to the ‌discussions. > > The warning marks an escalation in pressure on Europe as US President Donald Trump considers a potential ban to help bring down US fuel ‌prices ahead of November’s midterm elections. > > Europe’s relationship with Washington has soured under Trump due to tariff disputes and disagreements over military spending. > > For the EU, releasing more stocks would represent a dilemma as it needs ​to balance the need to bring down fuel prices at home with maintaining high stocks for a possible worsening of the fuel crisis should Trump and Iran not reach a peace deal. > > The EU’s energy taskforce — made up of the European Commission and the 27 EU member countries — will hold a call on Friday morning to discuss the situation, a Commission spokesperson said. > > The Commission, Germany, France, Italy, Britain and Ireland already held a call on Thursday to discuss the possible need to release diesel stocks, two EU officials told Reuters. > > The ‌International Energy Agency, the West’s energy watchdog, has not yet ⁠asked Germany to release stocks, Germany’s economy ministry said. It was not clear when the IEA might meet next. [The felon’s love letter to some Americans.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/read-letter-trump-sending-along-000014288.html) > [@](#): > > _For years, the Biden Administration overcharged you to fund the operation of [HealthCare.gov](http://HealthCare.gov). That money belongs to hard-working Americans, not the Government, and now, I am returning it to you!_ > > _With this Historic Action, my Administration is taking the surplus funds that accumulated from the Obamacare “Premium Tax” and issuing a one-time $500 REFUND to Americans who use the [HealthCare.gov](http://HealthCare.gov) platform to purchase their health insurance, but who do not receive Taxpayer Subsidies to help pay for their Coverage. You have paid into this flawed System, and now you are finally getting something back._ > > _Healthcare Dollars should benefit Patients, not Insurance Companies or Government Bureaucrats. Since returning to office, I have fought to lower Healthcare Costs, increase Accountability, and Put Patients First. Through TrumpRx, we are delivering massive discounts on Household Prescription Drugs, and my Most-Favored-Nation Pricing Agreements have already saved Americans more than 1 Billion Dollars on much-needed Medications. We also secured an unprecedented 50 Billion Dollar investment to transform Rural Healthcare, expanded access to Health Saving Accounts for millions of people on Obamacare, and restored Price Transparency, all while rooting out the Waste, Fraud, and Abuse across our Healthcare System._ > > _I am proud to return your money to you, and I will never stop fighting to put the American People FIRST, restore Affordability, protect your hard-earned money, and lower the Cost of Healthcare._ > > _May God bless you, and may He continue to bless the United States of America!_ > > _Sincerely,_ Pardon me. I’ll be back after I puke. [_Reporters are meanies!_](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-slams-time-staff-during-181329730.html) > [@](#): > > President Trump slammed Time’s staff during a lengthy interview published Thursday, where he ripped into them for not asking him “one f‑‑‑ing positive question.” > > He was asked about Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) [returning to the Senate](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6089224-mitch-mcconnell-returns-senate/) after months away while recuperating from a fall he suffered at home in June, and whether the lawmaker should resign due to his condition. But the president appeared to still be answering a previous question about pardoning members of his Cabinet if Democrats retake Congress in November. > > “It was a disappointment to a lot of Republicans. So that’s just –– well, Sleepy Joe gave pardons to everybody. He gave them to Fauci,” Trump said, referring to former President Biden and former White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci. “He gave them to this.” > > “But you mean I’m not allowed to give them, but Sleepy Joe’s allowed to give them?” Trump asked. “This ain’t gonna be much of a story. Here we are doing this. You haven’t asked me one f‑‑‑ing positive question. All of this. What about this? What about that? What about that? What about this? All negative.” [Congress caves yet again to the dictator.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/senate-dems-attempt-stop-trump-184443663.html) > [@](#): > > Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley’s (D-OR) attempt to pass a bill blocking the [$810 million “pocket rescission”](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/the-brief/russ-vought-takes-a-new-path-toward-overriding-congress) the Trump White House sent over to Congress last week failed Wednesday evening. > > Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) objected to Democrats’ request seeking unanimous consent on the Senate floor on their bill to nullify President Donald Trump’s most recent illegal pocket rescissions. Since Murray and Merkley were seeking unanimous consent — a procedural move to fast track a bill and bypass roll call votes — one Republican objection was enough to derail the effort. > > Johnson said he was “happy” to reject the unanimous consent request from Democrats, claiming both that the Impoundment Control Act is poorly written and that the pocket rescission request from the White House was not big enough, as he gave a lengthy speech about the national deficit. > > “I personally am glad, I don’t care who the president is or what party, I will generally support that president reducing spending. And I’d applaud it,” he said from the Senate floor objecting to Democrats’ request. “So I’m happy to allow the president to do pocket rescissions, other types of rescissions — whatever it takes because Congress is certainly not fiscally responsible.” [Anti-KKK law being used against the dysministration.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/renee-goods-family-invokes-kkk-144828649.html) > [@](#): > > The family of a [Minnesota](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/minnesota) woman fatally shot by a U.S. [Immigration](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/immigration) and Customs Enforcement ([ICE](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/ice)) agent has filed a sweeping civil rights lawsuit invoking a law originally passed to combat Ku Klux Klan violence, accusing senior [Trump administration](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/trump-administration) officials of participating in a conspiracy that led to her death. > > The [149-page suit](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/74901903/1/ganger-v-ross/), filed in federal court Thursday, names officials including former Homeland Security [Kristi Noem](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/kristi-noem) Secretary, White House Deputy Chief of Staff [Stephen Miller](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/stephen-miller) and Border Czar Tom Homan, alleging that they and other immigration leaders used “Operation Metro Surge” to target Somali and Hispanic communities, and sought to intimidate those who were documenting or opposing federal immigration enforcement. > > Plaintiffs say [Renee Nicole Good](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/renee-nicole-good), a U.S. citizen, was killed as she tried to drive away from agents after warning neighbors about the operation in Minneapolis in January. During a press conference Thursday, her partner, Becca Good, spoke publicly for the first time since the shooting. [War criminal Hegseth thinks it’s reporters committing treason.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/pete-hegseth-calls-critical-reporting-195232521.html) > [@](#): > > Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is delivering a “state of the force” address to a group of senior military leaders at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., where, after griping about diversity, he attacked the media for what he claimed are “delusional” reports about his “four to five week” war in Iran that’s now in its seventh month. > > In particular, Hegseth accused the media of “disingenuous claims about deployment length,” apparently referring to reporting about dire conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln amid a record-setting 250+ days at sea. > > “A free press is of course important,” Hegseth said, grimacing. “But partisan activism that intentionally smears the troops is fundamentally anti-American. It’s sick, it’s a national betrayal — it’s treason, actually.” [Hegseth wants the military to “put on the armor of God”.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/09/30/pentagon-office-of-religious-affairs-hegseth/92028693007/) > [@](#): > > Pentagon chief [Pete Hegseth](https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/pete-hegseth/), in his latest effort to boost the role of religion in military life, announced the establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs during his [Sept. 30 “State of the Force” address](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/09/29/pete-hegseth-military-generals-admirals-cuts/92014064007/) in Quantico, Virginia. > > The office will give military chaplains a “direct line” to him, he said, without “staff filters” and “bureaucratic dilution” that he characterized as an impediment to meeting service members’ religious needs. > > “The experts, our chaplains, will finally have an advocate at the highest levels,” he said. “Policy and resources will serve the mission, not smother the mission.” > > He also framed it as a necessary move to accommodate individual service members, the [vast majority of whom](https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4444113/hegseth-announces-reforms-to-chaplain-corps/) identify as religious. > > “Accordingly, our department, therefore, has a sacred duty – first-class religious support wherever we send our warriors,” he said. > > In [a Sept. 30 memo](https://media.defense.gov/2026/Sep/30/2004009308/-1/-1/1/ESTABLISHMENT-OF-THE-OFFICE-OF-RELIGIOUS-AFFAIRS.PDF), Hegseth ordered the secretaries of each military department to submit a comprehensive report detailing “all unfunded and underfunded religious affairs requirements,” such as ministry, religious facilities and support for faith-based homeschooling for military families. > > It’s the latest of several changes Hegseth has made to counter what he characterizes as the military’s misguided shift over the years away from explicit religious sentiments in favor of references to broader spirituality and self-care. & > [@](#): > > “Political correctness and secular humanism got a vote, chaplains did not,” Hegseth said. “Budgets were cut, resourcing and manpower needs were ignored, base chapels fell apart.” > > The new office, Hegseth said, would help reverse those trends. > > He referenced [Psalm 33:12](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033%3A12&version=NIV), “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” and noted that President George Washington, who [established the Chaplain Corps in 1775](https://www.army.mil/article/290530/under_providence_and_liberty_george_washington_and_the_sacred_birth_of_the_army_chaplain_corps), recognized the need for spiritual support in the military. > > “Our department is, you might say putting on the full armor of God, because while we wage physical war, we all know the real battle is spiritual,” he said. “God is good, evil is not, and America’s military must understand the difference.” [The felon thinks he inherited his IQ from his uncle.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-insists-highest-iqs-something-163258107.html) > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump appeared to suggest that he inherited the[“highest of IQs”](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/pete-davidson-donald-trump-interview-drunk-uncle-b3059280.html)from his late uncle, a celebrated physicist and engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. > > The president made the claim in a sit-down interview with _[TIME](https://time.com/article/2026/10/01/donald-trump-2026-interview-transcript/)_[](https://time.com/article/2026/10/01/donald-trump-2026-interview-transcript/), where he also discussed his feud with the mainstream media, his [makeover of Washington, D.C., the war in Iran, and his push for AI.](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-time-interview-top-takeaways-b3059889.html) > > Trump pivoted from answering a question about whether he “trusted”[OpenAI CEO Sam Altman](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ai-super-intelligence-rename-order-b3058607.html) to making the claim that his uncle is [responsible for his IQ level.](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/children-intelligence-iq-mother-inherit-inheritance-genetics-genes-a7345596.html) > > “Did you see the story about my uncle?” Trump asked the reporters. “I have the highest of IQs. I have the highest. I’m fine, and I understand that stuff. You know, my uncle was at MIT for 41 years, and you know, I’m a—I believe in genetics, frankly, and I understand.” ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9228 "2026-10-02T07:21:33Z")
Holy fucking fuck. @Monty , with all the money spent BY this dis administration fighting laws just like free speech and David Hearn, how much will be spent fighting these lawsuits after? I mean, it’s like we’ll have even LESS money left after lawsuits against fraud from these idiots than ever once this shit is over. @Smapti , this can’t be real, this interview. It’s not an interview, it’s enough evidence to commit the fucker to a padded cell for life. Not like there’s already not enough evidence to prove he’s a violent asshole ready to hurt millions… This interview better get enough coverage. I really hope it doesn’t just disappear from headlines a day later like most of the crimes and shenanigans he’s done. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9229 "2026-10-02T08:16:21Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Sorry about flubbing the numbers. Ah, thanks. I assumed it was me misunderstanding the statistics somehow ! * * * From Smapti’s link > Trump: “I don’t like when men check me out at all” Strange. He does it to other men all the time. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9230 "2026-10-02T08:59:30Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Read it if’n ya dare. I read most of it … TLDR: 🤪 ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9231 "2026-10-02T09:08:21Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > Strange. He does it to other men all the time. Big strong men, no less. ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9232 "2026-10-02T09:41:56Z")
[The felon’s still salivating over using the insurrection act ahead of the mid-terms.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-vows-return-fire-dems-161939120.html) > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump said Democrats will target him if they win control of the House in November, but he promised to fight back and declined to rule out declaring a state of emergency or potentially invoking the Insurrection Act before the midterm elections. > > “They’ll probably go after me, and I’ll go after them,” Trump [told TIME](http://time.com/article/2026/10/01/donald-trump-2026-interview-transcript/) this week, when asked what he was preparing for if Republicans lose the House. > > Trump said he had not considered sending ICE agents to polling places during the midterms, but he declined to rule out declaring a state of emergency before the election, including the use of the Insurrection Act. > > “I don’t rule anything out or in,” he said. > > Asked if he meant the Insurrection Act, Trump replied, “No, I’ve never used it. I could use it.” [Judge orders the felon and his flacks to fess up.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/effective-law-judge-rejects-secret-212221792.html) > [@](#): > > A federal judge in Manhattan has ordered the [Trump administration](https://lawandcrime.com/tag/donald-trump/) to reveal its justification for fatal attacks on boats in the Caribbean. > > In a [66-page ruling](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.654371/gov.uscourts.nysd.654371.72.0.pdf) issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, a Barack Obama appointee, rejected numerous rationales advanced by the U.S. Department of Justice for keeping an [Office of Legal Counsel](https://lawandcrime.com/tag/olc/) (OLC) memo on the subject under wraps. > > In August 2025, operating on a presidential directive authorizing military force against “foreign criminal groups,” the Department of Defense (DOD) began attacking boats it claimed were trafficking drugs into the country. Some 234 people have been killed in those attacks while the government has not provided evidence conclusively proving its claims, according to the underlying lawsuit filed by the [American Civil Liberties Union](https://lawandcrime.com/tag/aclu/) and other groups. > [@pjd](#): > > From Smapti’s link > > > Trump: “I don’t like when men check me out at all” > > Strange. He does it to other men all the time. [Yep, he got them out in shorts and had them get all sweaty and panting.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/pete-hegseth-leads-hundreds-around-054348865.html) > [@](#): > > Defense Secretary **Pete Hegseth** laced up his running shoes this week and led hundreds of service members on an early-morning jogging loop around the Pentagon, all of them wearing identical shirts that read “THIS IS WAR.” The Defense Department shared video of the run, and people responded with a wave of criticism aimed at what many called a performative display. > > The department posted two videos showing Pete Hegseth jogging at the front of the pack outside the Pentagon. A third clip featured the secretary, at times audibly short of breath, addressing the troops who joined him. He [invoked a motto](https://x.com/DOWResponse/status/2105293519174726102) he first introduced at Quantico. “Last year, when we gave a speech at Quantico—we launched the War Department golden rule: Do unto your formation that which you would have done unto your son or daughter’s formation,” Hegseth said, summing it up as “no games, no gimmicks, no low standards, and no excuses.” That’s some real mixed messaging, isn’t it? [MLB announces it’s not going to build a stadium in a national park.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/proposal-hold-major-league-baseball-221613196.html) > [@](#): > > [Major League Baseball](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/mlb) (MLB) leadership is no longer considering holding a game inside a national park, [according to a letter](http://facebook.com/photo?fbid=1466852168589778&set=pcb.1466852531923075) commissioner Robert Manfred sent to officials in Teton county, Wyoming, on Thursday in what could be the league’s biggest swing-and-a-miss off the diamond. > > On 26 September, the [Washington Post reported](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/09/26/trump-officials-weigh-mlb-game-grand-teton-national-park/) that MLB had reached out to the White House about staging a one-day game at Grand Teton national park in [Wyoming](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/wyoming). Teton county describes itself as a “a year-round resort community” and sits within the Jackson Hole valley. It’s also a habitat for grizzly bears, osprey, bison and more. > > News of MLB’s outreach to the federal government quickly sparked concern about the impact that erecting a field and the infrastructure to hold spectators could have on the natural landscape and habitat of scores of wildlife that call the 310,000-acre (125,500-hectare) park home. ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9233 "2026-10-02T13:54:29Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > > [@Smapti](#): > > > > Read it if’n ya dare. > > I read most of it … > TLDR: > 🤪 I just read all of the Time interview. Wow. Just…holy bejeezus. I’ll break it down for y’all-- it was a typical collection of trumpisms; only, more so? - **Typical word salad:** talking about whatever he wants to regardless of question asked, not making sense, skipping from topic to topic with no context. At one point he had a long rambling monologue about what he was doing to lower oil and gas prices, goes into how California’s gas prices are always higher, then suddenly, inexplicably, with no segue, ended it with the sentence '_And then I said to my people, including him, I said, “I hate to do this, you guys, but we have to take the nuclear weapon away from you.”_ '. Take it away from California? - **Constant complaints about all the people and groups who are unfair to him:** I’m the greatest pres ever, I solved a dozen wars, yadda yadda. But everybody’s mean to me. He accuses two separate groups of having ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’: the Fed Board, who has TDS because they raised interest rates against his wishes. And people who are warning about the dangers of AI have TDS as well. - **Classic “I know you are, but what am I?” style projection:** Here’s an actual trump quote about Gavin Newsom: _“Well, I thought that, frankly, Gavin Newsom maybe would have had the itch, then he gave an interview, which was the worst interview I’ve ever heard by a professional politician. He gave an interview that basically he was a dumb person, but he was smarter than the Black people that happened to be in the room. That’s what he said, because he was talking to a Black audience. He said he’s got bad boards. He can’t read a speech. He’s got all sorts of medical problems.”_ Hmm, who else does that sound like?? 🤔 - **Lovingly rhapsodizing about his two main loves- vanity projects and grifting:** He is never more coherent when he talks about the subjects he really cares about. Problem is, he’s never more scary than when he’s being coherent. He openly brags about fleecing Venezuela’s oil, and about the money he’s, correction, _ **the U.S.** _, is making on his deals, like nationalizing 10% of Intel. And of course, going on and on and on about how the White House was a falling apart piece of crap before all the wonderful things he’s done and is still doing to fix it. The interview ends with him saying that he wants the Oval Office to be declared a Federal landmark so future presidents can’t ‘tear it down’-- he wants that uber-tacky wall-to-wall gold-plated assault to the eyes preserved for all time 🤦‍♂️ ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9234 "2026-10-02T14:58:07Z")
> [@solost](#): > > - The interview ends with him saying that he wants the Oval Office to be declared a Federal landmark so future presidents can’t ‘tear it down’-- he wants that uber-tacky wall-to-wall gold-plated assault to the eyes preserved for all time 🤦‍♂️ I have news for him. That gold-plated shit will be immediately removed upon him leaving office—assuming the next occupant is not insane. And there’s nothing he can do about it. ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9235 "2026-10-02T15:10:08Z")
> [@robby](#): > > assuming the next occupant is not insane. There’s only about a 50% chance of that, though. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9236 "2026-10-02T15:16:32Z")
Better than 50% I would think, about their sanity or mental competency. But about 50% sounds right on the probability they are just as or more evil, unfortunately ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9237 "2026-10-02T15:53:31Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > [Rip van Simple has some regrets.](https://www.aol.com/articles/trump-says-regrets-nominating-supreme-123634000.html) > > > [@](#): > > > > WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - US President Donald Trump said he regretted nominating three Supreme Court justices — Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh — who have opposed him in recent rulings, according to a Time Magazine interview. And he’ll likely have one or two more appointments by the end of this term. Can you even imagine what he’ll dredge up from the bottom of his swamp full of bootlickers if he thinks those three aren’t subservient enough?? ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9238 "2026-10-02T19:45:19Z")
> [@solost](#): > > - The interview ends with him saying that he wants the Oval Office to be declared a Federal landmark so future presidents can’t ‘tear it down’-- he wants that uber-tacky wall-to-wall gold-plated assault to the eyes preserved for all time 🤦‍♂️ Poor Donald. In line with his “Power of Positive Thinking” religion, he’s partly convinced himself that Everyone _ **does** _ admire the gold gee-gaws he’s glued up in the Oval Office. But some pesky other part of his mind realizes that his “improvements” are not just despised, but an object of contemptuous, mocking laughter–worldwide. No wonder his Swiss-cheesed brain is failing. ---
**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:** [October 2, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9239 "2026-10-02T20:53:34Z")
“US President Donald Trump said he regretted nominating three Supreme Court justices — Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh” So do we, Donny. So do we. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298/9240 "2026-10-02T21:29:05Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > And he’ll likely have one or two more appointments by the end of this term. Not if the Democrats hold the Senate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=461) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-2/1025298.md?page=463)