Trump Offers Up One Idea to Pay for Border Wall

President Donald Trump may want to pay for his proposed southern border wall by slapping a 20% tax on imports from Mexico, the AP reported Thursday, though Trump's team quickly walked back the idea. White House spokesperson Sean Spicer, speaking to reporters on Air Force One as Trump flew back from a Republican retreat in Philadelphia, said Trump had discussed the idea with congressional leaders and wanted to include the measure in a comprehensive tax reform package. He said that taxing imports from Mexico would generate $10 billion a year and "easily pay for the wall" and that discussions are continuing with lawmakers to make sure the plan is "done right."

Shortly after the news broke, however, NBC News correspondent Peter Alexander tweeted what appeared to be a bit of a backtrack from Spicer. "Spicer tells me 20% tax on Mexican imports is NOT a policy proposal, but example of options how to pay for wall," Alexander tweeted. (More President Trump stories.)