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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump doesn't want the wall
It's important to keep this in mind. Trump doesn't want the wall.
There's been a standing offer from Pelosi and Schumer since back when they were in the minority -- since the end of 2017, actually, IIRC: make the DREAMers' status permanent and you get wall funding. This has always been on the table, and he's always backed away from it.
If he actually wanted the wall, he would have jumped at that. But he doesn't want the wall, he wants his mouth-breathers to be terrified by the fact that there isn't a wall.
samnsara
(17,570 posts).he could care less about it. hes just using it as an excuse for his new toy... the US Constitution! He will break that too after hes bored with it.
Vinca
(50,170 posts)I imagine he'll either pull his national emergency stunt or finally sign the bill Republicans already passed in the previous Congress. What a disgusting human being he is.
bearsfootball516
(6,369 posts)He may not want it, but he knows if he abandons it, the base abandons him and any chances of reelection go out the window.
tblue37
(64,980 posts)permanent protection from deportation.
Liberal In Texas
(13,453 posts)His former lawyer is going to spill the beans so he needs to create an even bigger mess to keep attention diverted.
True Blue American
(17,972 posts)You said it! Trump is desperate to do anything. He does not care about the harm to millions, or the cost. Human or dollar.
Buckeyeblue
(5,491 posts)$5 billion isn't even close to what an actual wall would cost. It's just a thing now. A thing to point to. To get mad about. It's a great distraction.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)He just doesn't want the damn thing.
Johnny2X2X
(18,745 posts)What Dems should do is get him to concede a ton, give him added funds for border security incluing a few iles of wall here or there, then call the new security plan "The wall of security." This sounds dumb right? Well Trump already sold to his supporters that he never meant Mexico will pay for the Wall, he'll easily be able to sell to them that he never meant an actual Wall, "My supporters are smart, they knew I was talking about a wall of security, not a literal border wall."
It will work.
meow2u3
(24,745 posts)This whole idea about the wall stands for something else: extorting dictatorial power from Democrats. You don't give an inch to a hostage taker and extortionist or he'll take the whole country. Give into blackmail and extortion and it'll embolden him.
WeekiWater
(3,259 posts)I do not think elected officials and power players in the Republican Party want it.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)Five times what he's asking for now. When Pence had gotten everybody lined up for it he flipped the table over.
If he wanted the wall he's had multiple opportunities to get it. He just wants to weaken the US.
WeekiWater
(3,259 posts)He thinks he gives up nothing to get something.
anarch
(6,535 posts)"give me everything I want, and you get nothing!" and if that doesn't work, yell a bit and then storm out of the room.
or else he makes some promise that he never intends to keep.
whatever, he can just pocket his personal profits, declare bankruptcy for the venture, and walk off to plan the next Ponzi scheme. I'm not clear what he really thinks the end game is for the current clusterfuck.
Vinca
(50,170 posts)and that's the talking point Don wants. He'll probably enact his phantom emergency powers over the weekend so his cult still believes he's a real strong man. Government will open, the BS will be blocked in the courts and Don will have a brand new whine when he has a rally.
joshcryer
(62,265 posts)It's a hell of a jobs program.
But they, rightfully, aren't going to give it for nothing, since it is actually a hell of a campaign talking point for Trump. He gets the wall for nothing, he gets a free talking point.