President Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE on Monday reportedly told a group of about 20 Republicans close to his administration that he wanted to paint the existing structure along the southern border matte black.

Trump said he pushed for painting the structure that color as part of an effort to deter illegal immigration, according to Politico. The news outlet, citing multiple people briefed on the meeting, reported that the idea stemmed from Trump's experience as a real estate developer.

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Trump reportedly told the group that his plan was stymied because it would first require a study of the potential environmental consequences, which he called an example of burdensome government regulations.

The White House did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment.

Trump made the remarks at a White House gathering meant to detail the themes of his State of the Union address to some of his closest allies, including former campaign officials Corey Lewandowski Corey R. LewandowskiHow Trump can win reelection: Focus on Democrats, not himself Trump Jr. distances from Bannon group, says he attended 'single' event Bannon, three others charged with defrauding donors of 'We Build The Wall' campaign MORE and David Bossie.

The themes, which were presented by acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney Mick MulvaneyMick Mulvaney to start hedge fund Fauci says positive White House task force reports don't always match what he hears on the ground Bottom line MORE, included immigration, health care, national security and the rising cost of prescription drugs, according to a handout obtained by Politico.

The State of the Union comes as Trump continues to demand $5.7 billion for a border wall, which Democrats oppose. The disagreement led to a standoff that resulted in the 35-day partial government shutdown.

Trump signed a continuing resolution to temporarily reopen the government last month. The deal did not include the funding he seeks for a wall but allowed for a bipartisan group of lawmakers to negotiate over border security funding.

Trump said on Twitter on Tuesday that the U.S. would build a "Human Wall if necessary," seeming to reference the Pentagon's move to send nearly 4,000 additional U.S. troops to the southern border to assist Customs and Border Protection.