Trump says 'if there's a concrete wall in front of you, go through it, go under it, go around it', in rediscovered 2004 video
Advice stands in stark contrast to president's demands over US-Mexico border wall
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Footage of Donald Trump has resurfaced in which he implores an audience never to let walls stop them from achieving their goals.
“Never, ever give up. Don’t give up. Don’t allow it to happen,” Mr Trump told graduates during a commencement speech at Wagner College, New York, in 2004.
“If there’s a concrete wall in front of you, go through it, go over it, go around it. But get to the other side of that wall.”
Video footage of the speech, for which Mr Trump was awarded an honorary degree, was first posted on Twitter by satirical news programme The Daily Show on Wednesday evening.
The advice stands in stark contrast to the US president’s insistence a border wall across the country's southern border would stop almost all illegal migration from Mexico.
“The only reason they (Democrats) do not want to build a Wall is that Walls Work!” Mr Trump tweeted on Sunday. “99% of our illegal Border crossings will end, crime in our Country will go way down and we will save billions of dollars a year!
“A properly planned and constructed Wall will pay for itself many times a year!”
Mr Trump’s determination for $5.7bn (£4.5bn) in wall funding from Congress has led to the 72-year-old shutting down parts of the US government, in an escalating crisis now in its 20th day.
Democratic leaders in Congress refuse to grant money for a border wall they consider immoral and ineffective.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments