Trump's Other Paint Job
Before he botched the Reflecting Pool, the president wanted the border wall black.
TL;DR
- President Trump insisted on painting the border wall black, believing its heat retention would deter migrants.
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Army Corps of Engineers opposed the idea due to increased costs and maintenance.
- Industrial experts noted that the alloy steel used for the wall already developed a weathered sheen that retained heat, making black paint functionally redundant.
- Trump's desire for black paint was also driven by his dislike for the natural reddish-rusted look of the steel.
- The black paint was applied to some sections of the wall, but it was costly, prone to peeling in the desert sun, and did not prevent smugglers from finding ways over the barriers.
- Despite the practical issues, Trump continued to advocate for black paint, even after leaving office, viewing it as a key aesthetic and functional element of his border wall project.