# Trump did not know what happened at Pearl Harbor **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 17, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545 "2020-01-17T03:05:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/61 "2020-01-22T22:04:08Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > In post #54, I address this directly. > > ETA: “…perhaps of the fact that Trump didn’t know what the USS Arizona Memorial was a tribute to specifically…” You asked for an example, and it is, indeed, an example of the thing you asked for an example of. “Hey, John, what’s this all about?” is extremely straightforwardly an example of Trump not knowing what something was about. Speculation about alternative meanings of this question do not make this something other than an example. It’s not proof, it’s not the incontrovertible word of God, but it is unquestionably an example. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/62 "2020-01-22T22:21:24Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > …“Hey, John, what’s this all about?” is extremely straightforwardly an example of Trump not knowing what something was about… This is a question, and for something to be inferred from it, you have to know what “this” refers to. I have clearly stated that I think it could be about the memorial he was staring at as they approached it and he asked the question. I have also said it could be about Pearl Harbor in general. The question in and of itself is not an example of anything specific. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/63 "2020-01-22T22:24:05Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [Keep](https://books.google.com/books?id=PvCpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT188&dq=%22A+Very+Stable+Genius%22+pearl&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_h4TiiJjnAhUMvlkKHZkEB08Q6AEwAXoECAcQAg#v=snippet&q=devastated%20the&f=false) [going](https://books.google.com/books?id=PvCpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT188&dq=%22A+Very+Stable+Genius%22+pearl&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_h4TiiJjnAhUMvlkKHZkEB08Q6AEwAXoECAcQAg#v=snippet&q=trump%20had%20learned%20about%20%22a%20date%22&f=false)… Just so you’ll know, I’d really rather not. You don’t seem to be interested in commenting on what I say, which is of course cool, but as for me, I’ve got nothing more to add in that case. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/64 "2020-01-22T22:29:09Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > He read about Pearl Harbor in 2 Corinthians but forgot it. Was it a Pearl Harbor of Great Price? ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/65 "2020-01-22T22:30:18Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > This is a question, and for something to be inferred from it, you have to know what “this” refers to. I have clearly stated that I think it could be about the memorial he was staring at as they approached it and he asked the question. I have also said it could be about Pearl Harbor in general. The question in and of itself is not an example of anything specific. And the letters that make up the words in that question only ask _that_ question when arranged in that order. In other orders they don’t form words at all. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/66 "2020-01-22T22:46:05Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > I certainly don’t think Bush Sr. was dumb , agree it was just a slip up. > > BTW he came very close to being captured by the Japanese in WW 2. And if he was captured he probably would have ended up on an island where many POWs were killed. And some of them were eaten. It would have been more efficient that way, but eventually the world got some pieces of shit that owed their existence to GHWB… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/67 "2020-01-22T22:48:27Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > This is a question, and for something to be inferred from it, you have to know what “this” refers to. I have clearly stated that I think it could be about the memorial he was staring at as they approached it and he asked the question. I have also said it could be about Pearl Harbor in general. The question in and of itself is not an example of anything specific. This is all in the three links I’ve provided, which you have indicated zero interest in reading beyond the first. I wonder why. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/68 "2020-01-22T23:02:20Z")
In the appendix of the book they include a handwritten, signed, and notarized list titled Things Donald Trump Knows Nothing About by Donald Trump. It includes an entry for Pearl Harbor, but it’s possible that that’s a misspelling of Pocatello, Idaho so we may never be able to get to the bottom of this. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/69 "2020-01-23T04:36:12Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > I get the same sort of training (and it doesn’t matter for my job, either), but my takeaway is that it is never, \*ever \*acceptable even if the culture you’re doing business in “expects it”. No bribes, baksheesh, expensive gifts, ins with politicians, dinners out, red carpet premieres, tickets to sold-out plays, lagniappe, nothing. Ever. Going by that list, the US is one of the most corrupt countries on earth. Many of those things are so routine in this country that hardly anybody would think to raise an eyebrow. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/70 "2020-01-23T14:15:26Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > This is all in the three links I’ve provided, which you have indicated zero interest in reading beyond the first. **I wonder why**. I assure you I have read all the paragraphs that mention Pearl Harbor specifically at the links you provided, and the surrounding paragraphs. Please just tell me what I have missed. I can’t mind read. And there is no need to start down some sort of “ulterior motive” road (see bold) that people usually do whenever I mention something that doesn’t criticize Trump, or I don’t immediately accept something unflattering said about him. I just didn’t think the _Yahoo link_ showed what is was purported to show. > [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > In the appendix of the book they include a handwritten, signed, and notarized list titled Things Donald Trump Knows Nothing About by Donald Trump. It includes an entry for Pearl Harbor, but it’s possible that that’s a misspelling of Pocatello, Idaho so we may never be able to get to the bottom of this. Why be snide? But fine, I take you at your word. Show me what you are talking about in the book. I am always interested in listening to other points of view. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/71 "2020-01-23T14:45:42Z")
It’s pretty obvious that DJT doesn’t know much about anything so why somebody would come on the board to suggest that what he said isn’t _really_ an indictment of his lack of knowledge is beyond me. Reminds me of a very good friend of mine - he’s very bright (he’s a mechanical engineer) but he does this thing in the face of information such as this to seemingly “detach” himself from it all so that he can look as though he’s “above the fray.” _Extreme_ly annoying to someone like me who is MUCH more willing to “call a spade a spade.” ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/72 "2020-01-23T15:04:10Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > I assure you I have read all the paragraphs that mention Pearl Harbor specifically at the links you provided, and the surrounding paragraphs. Please just tell me what I have missed. I can’t mind read. And there is no need to start down some sort of “ulterior motive” road (see bold) that people usually do whenever I mention something that doesn’t criticize Trump, or I don’t immediately accept something unflattering said about him. I just didn’t think the _Yahoo link_ showed what is was purported to show. > > Why be snide? But fine, I take you at your word. Show me what you are talking about in the book. **I am always interested in listening to other points of view**. Emphasis above mine. He may have simply been having a ‘Senior Moment’. Nothing to do about Pearl or the Arizona memorial specifically, but basically wondering where he was and what he was doing there. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/73 "2020-01-23T16:19:02Z")
From a Wednesday morning CNBC interview: > [@Trump](#): > > “We have to protect Thomas Edison—we have to protect all of these people that came up with originally the light bulb, and the wheel, and all of these things, and he’s one of our very smart people,” Trump added. “We want to cherish those people. That’s very important. He’s done a very good job.” ---
**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:** [January 23, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/74 "2020-01-23T17:00:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > From a Wednesday morning CNBC interview: Oh, good grief. Is gonna start praising Thomas Crapper next??? Light bulbs, toilets, dishwashers, wind turbines… ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/75 "2020-01-23T17:03:25Z")
Someone is threatening Edison? We have _got_ to put a stop to that! And could someone tell me which American invented the wheel? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/76 "2020-01-23T17:12:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Someone is threatening Edison? We have _got_ to put a stop to that! > And could someone tell me which American invented the wheel? Someone do a quick calculation to see if the patent protection term has expired yet for the wheel! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/77 "2020-01-23T17:18:28Z")
Too late. Disney’s got it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/78 "2020-01-23T17:34:32Z")
The way it is phrased, he not only believes that Thomas Edison is still alive-he also believes that Edison invented the wheel. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/79 "2020-01-23T17:53:24Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > It’s pretty obvious that DJT doesn’t know much about anything so why somebody would come on the board to suggest that what he said isn’t _really_ an indictment of his lack of knowledge is beyond me… Yeah, I can see where that might be annoying. As opposed to what I said, which was that the Yahoo link did not mention any specifics about what Trump did or did not know about Pearl Harbor, thus I wasn’t convinced of anything by that link. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545/80 "2020-01-23T18:11:27Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [Keep](https://books.google.com/books?id=PvCpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT188&dq=%22A+Very+Stable+Genius%22+pearl&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_h4TiiJjnAhUMvlkKHZkEB08Q6AEwAXoECAcQAg#v=snippet&q=devastated%20the&f=false) [going](https://books.google.com/books?id=PvCpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT188&dq=%22A+Very+Stable+Genius%22+pearl&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_h4TiiJjnAhUMvlkKHZkEB08Q6AEwAXoECAcQAg#v=snippet&q=trump%20had%20learned%20about%20%22a%20date%22&f=false)… Reading these links, I think what makes the moment noteworthy is that John Kelly (who presumably relayed the story) was dumbfounded by the question, clearly reflecting that _he_ thought Trump was admitting to woeful ignorance. And I get it. Trump’s knowledge and understanding of one of the most pivotal moments in American history (one which Kelly probably knew intimate details of) likely consisted of, at most, “the Japanese attacked America in WWII” and literally nothing else. Moreover, the dismissive “what’s this all about” in the presence of such a serene memorial probably struck Kelly as outrageous, since Kelly was well aware of the significance of the dead bodies still interred below. To Kelly, this was about paying respects; to Trump, it was about some distraction while they refueled their jet. If nothing else, it plainly diminished Trump in the eyes of his general. > [@Trump](#): > > “We have to protect Thomas Edison—we have to protect all of these people that came up with originally the light bulb, and the wheel, and all of these things, and he’s one of our very smart people,” Trump added. “We want to cherish those people. That’s very important. He’s done a very good job.” In context, Trump was talking about protecting intellectual property, and specifically Elon Musk, not Thomas Edison. So the ‘he’s one of our very smart people’ and "he’s done a very good job’ was about Elon. But, in attempting to list ‘other’ Americans who also need to have their ideas protected, the only name Trump could come up with was Edison, and in listing other ideas that need protecting, the only other inventions Trump could think of were the lightbulb and wheel. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-did-not-know-what-happened-at-pearl-harbor/846545.md?page=5)