By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump decried a contract with Boeing, claiming the company sought additional funds despite a guaranteed maximum price agreement. He asserted the contract, unusual in its fixed-price structure, was designed to prevent cost overruns common in their typical “time and material” contracts. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Boeing’s request for more money, emphasizing their obligation to deliver the aircraft at the agreed-upon price. The president’s comments followed broader accusations of widespread fraud within the Department of Education.
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Trump’s recent comments regarding the cost overruns of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier devolved into a rambling, incoherent diatribe focused on the ship’s use of magnets. He specifically targeted the electromagnetic aircraft launch system and the magnetic elevators, claiming they were a flawed, expensive “new theory” that didn’t work, despite their successful operation for years. This isn’t the first time he’s displayed this kind of confused, unfounded criticism of magnets.
His assertions demonstrate a profound misunderstanding of basic physics and engineering. The idea that magnets, a technology understood for millennia, are somehow a novel and failing concept in this context is simply nonsensical. His comments suggest a lack of comprehension of the technology involved, yet he presents his opinions as authoritative pronouncements. He juxtaposed the supposed failures of magnetic technology with his preferred, unspecified “hydraulic” systems, as though hydraulics are some sort of superior, universally applicable solution impervious to environmental factors like hurricanes and lightning.
The jarring disconnect between his criticisms and reality is striking. He seemed to conflate the cost overruns of the carrier (which were acknowledged and attributed to various factors, not solely to the use of magnets) with the supposed technological failures of the magnetic systems. This suggests a pattern of blaming complex, advanced systems for problems rooted in mismanagement or other factors. He seemingly draws connections between unrelated elements, linking Boeing’s possible cost-cutting practices to the ship’s use of magnets without any logical link.
His apparent confusion extends beyond the specific details of the technology itself. He previously claimed that magnets stop working in water, a patently false assertion that highlights a fundamental lack of scientific understanding. This repeated focus on magnets – a subject seemingly unrelated to his initial discussion of Boeing and cost overruns – suggests a possible disconnect from reality or a deliberate tactic of deflection.
The whole rant feels less like a coherent critique and more like a stream-of-consciousness outburst, punctuated by vague pronouncements and non sequiturs. The sheer absurdity of the comments is almost comical, but it also raises concerns about his cognitive state and judgment. The sheer audacity of his pronouncements on complex technical matters, coupled with his demonstrable lack of understanding, is breathtaking.
It’s hard not to be struck by the irony of a man who constantly boasts about his deal-making prowess and business acumen revealing such a profound lack of comprehension about fundamental technologies. It’s a stark contrast to the image he projects of himself as a brilliant and decisive leader. It’s almost as if, in the midst of criticizing others’ decision-making, he has accidentally revealed his own.
The incident showcases the dangers of uninformed pronouncements made by individuals in positions of power. This isn’t merely a humorous anecdote; it underscores the potential risks of having decision-makers who lack the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to engage with complex topics responsibly. His comments highlight the critical need for informed discourse and the dangers of relying on opinions that are divorced from reality. The gravity of his position, combined with these public displays of misunderstanding, calls into serious question his fitness for office.
In conclusion, Trump’s rant about magnets on the USS Gerald R. Ford is not just a bizarre moment, but a telling indicator of a broader pattern of behavior: misrepresenting complex issues, displaying a lack of basic understanding, and relying on uninformed assertions while wielding considerable power. It raises serious questions about his intellectual capacity and his suitability for high office, leaving observers to wonder about the potential consequences of such uninformed pronouncements. It’s more than just a “fucking magnets” moment; it’s a demonstration of disturbing cognitive dissonance.