President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE on Tuesday defended the aesthetic qualities of his proposed wall along the southern border, arguing that it will be a "beautiful," cost-effective structure made of "artistically designed steel slats."

"The Democrats, are saying loud and clear that they do not want to build a Concrete Wall - but we are not building a Concrete Wall, we are building artistically designed steel slats, so that you can easily see through it," Trump tweeted.

"It will be beautiful and, at the same time, give our Country the security that our citizens deserve," he continued. "It will go up fast and save us BILLIONS of dollars a month once completed!"

....It will be beautiful and, at the same time, give our Country the security that our citizens deserve. It will go up fast and save us BILLIONS of dollars a month once completed! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2018

ADVERTISEMENT

Trump has previously said that the wall would be see-through. The structure has been a cornerstone of the president's efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

While Trump appeared to suggest in his tweet that Democrats' main issue with his long-sought border wall is based on aesthetics, party leaders have consistently opposed the concept in its entirety and made clear their opposition is based on policy and principle.

"The wall isn't about money. The wall is about morality. It's the wrong thing to do. It doesn't work. It's not effective," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiHoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE (D-Calif.) told reporters on Tuesday.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Senate Democrats introduce legislation to probe politicization of pandemic response Schumer interrupted during live briefing by heckler: 'Stop lying to the people' MORE (D-N.Y.) told NBC on Sunday that Trump "will not get a wall."

Trump has demanded $5 billion in funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, raising the prospect of a partial government shutdown at the end of the week if he and Congress can't reach an agreement.

However, the White House on Tuesday appeared amenable to signing off on a lower amount to avert a shutdown.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Fox News that the administration has "other ways" to get the $5 billion, and that it does not "want to shut down the government."

Trump told reporters it was "too early to say" whether a shutdown will be avoided, but the remarks were a notable shift from last week when he said he would be "proud" to shut down the government.

Democrats have refused to budge on their offer of $1.6 billion for border security that would go toward border fencing and security measures.

Lawmakers must pass a series of funding bills by Friday to avoid a shutdown.