As President Trump prepares to meet with congressional leaders to negotiate the possible end of the government shutdown, he’s claiming once again that the wall’s construction is already underway with Mexico footing the bill.

Mexico is paying for the Wall through the new USMCA Trade Deal. Much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built. We have done a lot of work. $5.6 Billion Dollars that House has approved is very little in comparison to the benefits of National Security. Quick payback! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2019

So, let’s see. Mexico is supposedly paying for the wall with an updated NAFTA deal that will presumably stimulate U.S. economic activity enough to offset the wall’s cost through tax revenue. Even if this federal revenue increase does happen as Trump claims, the actual end result here is American taxpayers will supply the money for the wall, not Mexico.

There’s also something to be said about Trump claiming the wall is already being built when last year’s congressional budget for border security didn’t provide any money for a wall. Furthermore, if “much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built,” was it worth it for Trump to shut down the government because Democrats refuse to give him the $5 billion he’s demanding for the wall and other security measures?

So many questions, so little time.

[Image via screengrab]

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