Trump raves about his wall being a 'medieval solution'

President Trump wants Congress to get medieval.
In the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump again argued that his proposed border wall, which he is demanding Congress set aside $5.7 billion to fund, is a "necessity" and that technology like drones isn't an adequate replacement. Some critics have referred to Trump's wall as medieval, and he apparently strongly agrees.
"They say it's a medieval solution, a wall," Trump said. "That's true. It's medieval because it worked then, and it worked even better now."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As he has done in the past, Trump then pointed to Israel as an example of a wall working, adding that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally told him that "we put up a wall" and "it was 99.9 percent effective."
Trump spoke ahead of a meeting on Capitol Hill that's taking place amid the ongoing shutdown battle. Although he previously said he would be "proud" to shut down the government over border security, Trump said Wednesday that this is "not a fight I wanted." But he defended his position that he will not re-open the government until Congress agrees to the wall funding, saying that he has "tremendous support" and that Republicans, especially his base, would "hit" him if he "gave up on border security." He also once again signaled that he's considering declaring a national emergency to fund the wall if Democrats don't go his way. "We might work a deal, and if we don’t, I might go that route," he said.
Watch Trump's comments below. Brendan Morrow
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - February 23, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - loser's game, unexpected consequences, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 slow on the draw cartoons about Democrats' response to Trump
Cartoons Artists take on taking a stand, staying still as a statue, and more
By The Week US Published
-
A road trip through Zimbabwe
The Week Recommends The country is 'friendly and relaxed', with plenty to see for those who wish to explore
By The Week UK Published
-
Mitch McConnell won't seek reelection
Speed Read The longest-serving Senate party leader is retiring
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump reportedly wants to take over US Postal Service
Speed Read President Trump is making plans to disband the leadership of USPS and absorb the agency into his administration
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump seeks to end New York's congestion pricing
Speed Read The MTA quickly filed a lawsuit to stop the move
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump officials try to reverse DOGE-led firings
Speed Read Mass firings by Elon Musk's team have included employees working on the H5N1 bird flu epidemic and US nuclear weapons programs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames Ukraine for war after US-Russia talks
Speed Read The US and Russia have agreed to work together on ending the Ukraine war — but President Trump has flipped America's approach
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Musk's DOGE seeks access to IRS, Social Security files
Speed Read If cleared, the Department of Government Efficiency would have access to tax returns, bank records and other highly personal information about most Americans
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Senate confirms RFK Jr. as health secretary
Speed Read The noted vaccine skeptic is now in charge of America's massive public health system
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump lays out plans for broad 'reciprocal' tariffs
Speed Read Tariffs imposed on countries that are deemed to be treating the US unfairly could ignite a global trade war and worsen American inflation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published