Former President Donald Trump recently attempted to rewrite history during a speech in Iowa, falsely claiming that during his 2016 presidential campaign, he promised that Mexico would pay for “a piece” of his border wall. This claim, however, is inaccurate. Throughout his campaign, Trump consistently pledged that Mexico would pay for the entire wall, with no qualifications or exceptions.
During Trump’s campaign rallies in 2015 and 2016, he made this promise a central theme, often engaging in call-and-response exchanges with his supporters. He would ask the crowd who was going to pay for the wall, and they would enthusiastically respond, “Mexico!” Trump would then assert that Mexico would pay for the wall, emphasizing the full cost would be covered by the country. He reiterated this commitment in speeches during the Republican presidential primary and the general election.
For example, in a speech in Massachusetts in November 2015, Trump stated, “We’re gonna build the wall. It’s gonna be a great wall, and it’s gonna be paid for by Mexico. Believe me – 100%, 100%. We’re not paying for it. Mexico is paying for it. Believe me.” Similarly, in a speech in Florida in August 2016, he said, “We’re gonna build the wall and Mexico is going to pay for the wall, 100%.”
Even when Trump adjusted his rhetoric slightly, suggesting that Mexico would reimburse the U.S. for the wall, he insisted it would be a complete reimbursement. He stated in a speech in Pennsylvania in October 2016, “Remember, I said Mexico is paying for the wall – with the full understanding that the country of Mexico will be reimbursing the United States for the full cost of such a wall. OK? We’re gonna have the wall. Mexico is gonna pay for the wall.”
Trump’s claim that he promised Mexico would pay for “a piece” of the wall is contradicted by his numerous unqualified statements during the campaign. Fact-checking organizations and public records confirm the consistency of Trump’s promise that Mexico would fully fund the border wall. His recent attempt to alter this narrative and downplay his original commitment is not supported by the evidence from his campaign speeches.
