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LetMyPeopleVote

(166,739 posts)
40. Maddow Blog-'I don't know': The problem with Trump leaning into his new favorite phrase
Thu May 8, 2025, 07:32 PM
May 8

It’s worth appreciating not just how many times the president has said “I don’t know” in recent days, but also the scope of his apparent cluelessness.

So far this week, Trump has said "I don't know" in response to questions about:
- sending migrants to Libya
- due process
- upholding the Constitution
- interactions with El Salvador
- tariff exceptions
- JD Vance's line on Russia's war demands
The cluelessness matters. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-05-08T12:58:09.974Z

So far this week, Trump has said "I don't know" in response to questions about:
- sending migrants to Libya
- due process
- upholding the Constitution
- interactions with El Salvador
- tariff exceptions
- JD Vance's line on Russia's war demands
The cluelessness matters



https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/-dont-know-problem-trump-leaning-new-favorite-phrase-rcna205546

It was against this backdrop that Trump was asked a straightforward question about the story. The New Republic noted:

Donald Trump says he doesn’t know whether he plans to deport hundreds of immigrants to Libya, amidst reports that his administration will do so as soon as Wednesday. “Is the administration sending migrants to Libya?” Trump was asked during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “I don’t know,” he responded. “You’ll have to ask the Department of Homeland Security.


While it was certainly possible that the president was simply lying about what he knew, at face value, it appeared that the Republican was simply unaware of what his own administration was up to.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/post/3lolxlhitki2e



.....On Sunday, for example, NBC News aired Trump’s latest appearance on “Meet the Press.” When host Kristen Welker asked whether everyone in the United States is entitled to due process, the president replied, “I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know.” When Welker reminded her guest about the Fifth Amendment, Trump again said, “I don’t know.”

As part of the same exchange, Welker went on to say, “[D]on’t you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?” Once again, Trump answered, “I don’t know.”

As the interview continued, the host asked whether anyone in his administration is in contact with El Salvador about returning Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States. “I don’t know,” the president said. “You’d have to ask the attorney general that question......

What’s more, most objective observers would probably agree that if Joe Biden repeatedly said, “I don’t know” in response to simple questions about his own administration, it would be front-page news — and the Democrat’s responses would be played on a loop, for hours on end, in conservative media.

Similarly, Trump has personally invested considerable time and energy into accusing Biden of being a doddering old “autopen” president who was unaware of events unfolding around him. Given the frequency with which the Republican clings to “I don’t know” responses, he might need a new line of attack.

Finally, let’s not overlook the fact that Trump’s authoritarian-style tendencies are rooted, at least in part, in the idea governmental power must be concentrated and put in his hands, to be executed as he sees fit.

It makes the president’s apparent cluelessness that much more alarming.

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Perhaps we should make it a requirement piddyprints May 4 #1
Maybe demented presidents should have to take the oath every day milestogo May 4 #2
"take the oath"... Donald refused to place his hand on the Bible this time. Norrrm May 4 #30
But the Bible means as little to him as the Constitution milestogo May 4 #34
Fact Marvin Jones May 4 #3
I think he's basing everything around slightlv May 4 #33
"I don't know" he knows goddamn well what he is doing Klarkashton May 4 #4
We do need a knowledgeable President. republianmushroom May 4 #5
Education Iamscrewed May 4 #6
Of Course Trump doesn't believe it MissouriDem47 May 4 #7
I propose that jayschool2013 May 4 #8
He can always claim a 'to the best of my ability' loophole... SeattleVet May 4 #9
Oath of office? What oath? Sneederbunk May 4 #10
This little thing? Botany May 4 #18
he swore to uphold the constitution and he isnt and there is no consequence Fullduplexxx May 4 #11
That means he's not going to IronLionZion May 4 #12
He didn't put his hand on the bible, so he'll claim his oath doesn't count JoseBalow May 4 #13
You are probably right odins folly May 4 #28
drumpf exists in a perpetual state of plausible deniability JoseBalow May 4 #29
Time to Impeach him. Onthefly May 4 #14
Nah, since the GOP on the Hill is fine with deporting US citizens, criminals, rapists, and such without due process... Attilatheblond May 4 #17
Perfect. That's a quick and simple solution. Gang connection to MAGA. Onthefly May 4 #35
When trump took the oath of office at the inauguration, he didn't put his hand on the bible. BComplex May 4 #15
" A central part of Trump's agenda has been implementing the "largest deportation operation" in U.S. history" MLWR May 4 #16
Oh, he knows all right. As long as the Constitution doesn't interfere with what he wants to do, he's fine with it. Martin68 May 4 #19
Remember - this orange stain didn't put his hand on the bible SpankMe May 4 #20
We all know what he means Zorro May 4 #21
to the best of my ability patphil May 4 #22
That was my thought as well BumRushDaShow May 4 #23
trump took an oath to defend the Constitution which includes due process LetMyPeopleVote May 4 #24
About oaths being taken: SupportSanity May 4 #25
"They take oaths with their fingers crossed behind their backs. " BumRushDaShow May 4 #26
We assume they were bibles.... SupportSanity May 4 #36
Well it doesn't have to be done with a "Christian Bible" BumRushDaShow May 4 #37
Trump is a useful idiot, nothing more, nothing less Deminpenn May 4 #27
Trump's defense Zorro May 4 #31
sounds like another article of impeachment to me LymphocyteLover May 4 #32
The Constitution requires due process and the SCOTUS has unanimously ruled that due process is required LetMyPeopleVote May 4 #38
The Presidential Oath; you Fucktard! 🤬 electric_blue68 May 5 #39
Maddow Blog-'I don't know': The problem with Trump leaning into his new favorite phrase LetMyPeopleVote May 8 #40
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