Donald Trump now wants taxpayers to pay for his Mexican wall in a classic bait and switch move. He says Mexico will pay later. Believe him? (Collage: MPG)
Trump repeated over and over again that he would build a wall to keep out illegal immigrants. In a boast of his so-called negotiating acumen, he said, Mexico would pay the cost.
But that was then. Now he’s counting on a 2006 law to force taxpayers to pay as much as $14 billion for a wall that experts say will do little to stem the tide of illegal immigrants.
The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall (for sake of speed), will be paid back by Mexico later!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2017
@realDonaldTrump Mexico agreed to this or is this the voices in your head telling you that this is the case. Can we agree you're a conman?
— Kevin (@TheKevinDent) January 6, 2017
@TheKevinDent @realDonaldTrump So glad i live in Scotland. We made him build us afree golfcourse then banned him from the country
— Stephen (@Karax9699) January 6, 2017
@politico Repeal the ACA. Cut Medicaid, Social Security & Medicare. Use money to award huge contracts for cronies to build a useless wall.
— Kathy Copeland (@PhoenixRisingSt) January 6, 2017
@politico Trump said repeatedly Mexico would pay for the wall. Like a seasoned Washington politician he flat out lied to get votes. pic.twitter.com/yMsBWboyxs
— jay (@JRol87) January 6, 2017
The overwhelming majority of those who enter the country illegally do so by overstaying work or visitor visas.
Still, Trump is insisting on saddling taxpayers with his folly.
The president-elect erupted on Twitter after he was called out for the bait and switch, claiming angrily that Mexico would pay for the wall… later.
“The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall (for sake of speed), will be paid back by Mexico later!” he Tweeted.
Trump’s transition team set off the uproar when it notified congressional Republicans that it wanted federal tax dollars for the wall, so it could begin construction as early as April, according to Politico.
It just so happens there is a funding mechanism available, according to Republican leaders.
In 2006, President George W. Bush signed a bill into law called the “2006 Secure Fence Act.”
The 2006 Bush bill authorized 700 miles of double fencing, which falls far short of Trump’s plan to build a “wall.” At that, the fence would only cover about a third of the 2,000 mile border.
A funding bill would require eight Democratic senators to vote in favor of the move to send it to the Senate floor for a formal vote.
During the campaign, Trump claimed he could us a provision of the USA Patriot Act to skim money from funds sent back to Mexico by illegal immigrants working in the United States. The move, however, would penalize poor families.
At the time, President Obama was one of the biggest critics of the plan.
“The notion that we’re going to track every Western Union bit of money that’s being sent to Mexico, good luck with that,” he said.
Last September, Trump was humiliated by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. He called Trump out for lying about discussions over Trump’s anti-immigration wall.
In a stinging rebuke, Nieto said he made it clear to Trump that Mexico would not pay for the wall under any circumstances.
Trump was ripped on social media When news hit about his funding plan.
Let us know your thoughts and be sure to follow Money & Power on Twitter.