‘I don’t know’: The problem with Trump leaning into his new favorite phrase

It's worth appreciating not just how many times Donald Trump has said "I don't know" in recent days, but also the scope of his apparent cluelessness.

Thursday, May 08, 2025 TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS 'I don't know': The problem with Trump leaning into his new favorite phrase 'I don't know': The problem with Trump leaning into his new favorite phrase It's worth appreciating not just how many times Donald Trump has said "I don't know" in recent days, but also the scope of his apparent cluelessness. MORE Trump's 'trade deal' with the United Kingdom isn't yet an actual trade deal Donald Trump said he's reached a "conclusive" and "comprehensive" trade deal with the U.K. Reality suggests otherwise. MORE Trump's 'trade deal' with the United Kingdom isn't yet an actual trade deal Donald Trump said he's reached a "conclusive" and "comprehensive" trade deal with the U.K. Reality suggests otherwise. MORE Trump says he's dropping Ed Martin's nomination amid bipartisan opposition As a rule, Senate Republicans have rubber-stamped Donald Trump's worst nominees. As Ed Martin helped prove, there are rare exceptions. MORE Trump says he's dropping Ed Martin's nomination amid bipartisan opposition As a rule, Senate Republicans have rubber-stamped Donald Trump's worst nominees. As Ed Martin helped prove, there are rare exceptions. MORE Dr. Casey Means, Trump's new surgeon general nominee, draws unflattering scrutiny Given Dr. Casey Means' background, the confirmation hearings for the president's new surgeon general nominee are bound to be contentious. MORE Dr. Casey Means, Trump's new surgeon general nominee, draws unflattering scrutiny Given Dr. Casey Means' background, the confirmation hearings for the president's new surgeon general nominee are bound to be contentious. MORE MORE FROM THE MADDOWBLOG Trump's first choice for surgeon general becomes his latest personnel failure Assembly Required podcast with Stacey Abrams: Rachel Maddow on Winning America's Fight Against Fascism Rachel Maddow with Stephen Colbert: We're Not Going To Be The Generation That Loses American Democracy As Trump administration officials defend Germany's right-wing party, Berlin isn't pleased The 'Arabian Gulf'? Trump reportedly finds another body of water he wants to rename Team Trump steps up its intelligence-gathering efforts in, of all places, Greenland House Republicans vote to codify Trump's executive order on 'Gulf of America' Trump scoffs at rising prices for families while his inner circle cashes in on foreign deals Tim Walz on Trump's tariff disaster: I wish he could have been obsessed with pickleball instead   MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community.   NEWS TIPS? SEND IT TO RACHEL FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK RACHEL MADDOW ON THREADS Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER