Stephen King, an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, has asked a key question regarding the president’s plans for the border wall.

After running in 2016 on the platform that Mexico would pay for a proposed wall to be built on the border, President Trump has now threatened a government shutdown if he does not receive border wall funding.

Trump is requesting $5bn for the wall, which led to a televised argument between himself and Democratic congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer Tuesday, during which Trump said he would be “proud” to shutdown the government for border security.

Following the White House meeting, King raised an important point regarding the billions Trump needs to pay for the wall.

“Wait a minute, wait! Wasn’t… um, Mexico going to pay for Trump’s useless, just-tunnel-under-it wall?” the best-selling author asked on Twitter.

King’s tweet has since been liked more than 36,000 times - with many thanking the writer for speaking out against the president.

“Thank you for asking the one question that begs to be asked. It’s amazing how quickly his followers forget,” one person responded.

The proposed wall is estimated to cost upwards of $18bn. Pelosi and Schumer have offered the president bipartisan proposals that would see $1.3bn allocated towards border security measures such as building fences.

According to a Trump tweet ahead of the Oval Office meeting, a significant portion of the wall has “already been built” and if “Democrats do not give us the votes to secure our country, the military will build the remaining sections of the wall” because they “know how important it is.”

However, in a statement to CNBC, Pentagon spokesman Lt Col Jamie Davis said: “To date, there is no plan to build sections of the wall” but that “Congress has provided options under Title 10 US Code that could permit the Department of Defence to fund border barrier projects, such as in support of counter drug operations or national emergencies.”

King has previously mocked the president over his governing tactics and spelling on Twitter.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events