With the Trump shutdown over border wall funding growing longer by the seconds, and with few signs of concession from either side, Republican lawmakers are coming up with outlandish ideas to get their President—who rejected a bipartisan continuing resolution that would've kept the government open til February—to finally reopen it and send furloughed employees back to work.
However, Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) has an idea that seems even less likely than President Donald Trump to forego a wall.
Jones has suggested that Trump dip into his personal funds to contribute to the construction of possibly his most fervent campaign promise.
In a statement calling for responsible wall funding, Jones said:
"As a wealthy man, the president might consider pledging some of his own funds as well. Whatever it takes, just so long as we don’t add to the debt that is bankrupting our great country.”
Twitter loved it.
@kylegriffin1 So Rep Jones doesn't want the wall, very crafty.— I want nothing (@I want nothing) 1546279680.0
Walter Jones still a trolling great https://t.co/295RJIhIlu— David A. Graham (@David A. Graham) 1546274672.0
This makes me smile. Rep Walter Jones suggests wealthy Donald Trump personally put some money towards building his… https://t.co/XLIuywy0ba— Vicki Boyer (@Vicki Boyer) 1546292896.0
But many were also quick to acknowledge just how unlikely the prospect is, especially with Trump's history of not paying contractors.
@kylegriffin1 He’ll pledge whatever, he won’t pay a dime.— cafe au lait (@cafe au lait) 1546281888.0
@kylegriffin1 No one will build it because the contractors know if Trump is responsible for the bill they will get… https://t.co/xISh43Hy9d— bj2048 (@bj2048) 1546284661.0
@kylegriffin1 Rep. Walter Jones has not been paying attention. Otherwise he'd know that Donald a) Rarely pays his… https://t.co/lbwGyKIYEG— Annie Gray (@Annie Gray) 1546282337.0
@kylegriffin1 The love Trump has for his own personal bank account far, far, far, far outweighs the love of his nat… https://t.co/Hqlh9RfMoI— Alexandra Allred (@Alexandra Allred) 1546288476.0
In fact, some found the idea literally laughable.
@kylegriffin1 @maybellinecat BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA— 🍁Suburban Grouse 🦃 (@🍁Suburban Grouse 🦃) 1546281221.0
@kylegriffin1 @JoyAnnReid Bwahahaha!— IrishIceSP 🦃 🇺🇸 ☘️💟CHIEFS (@IrishIceSP 🦃 🇺🇸 ☘️💟CHIEFS) 1546280844.0
@kylegriffin1 @cryborg 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣— Barbara Ward. 🆘️ (@Barbara Ward. 🆘️) 1546289058.0
@kylegriffin1 @JoyAnnReid HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!— Kitteh Is Not Amused (@Kitteh Is Not Amused) 1546280057.0
Nevertheless, Twitter users were quick to help Congressman Jones brainstorm the logistics.
It's too bad the Trump foundation is no longer a thing.
@kylegriffin1 I know. Let's get the #TrumpFoundation to... er, nevermind. #TrumpShutdown #MuellerIsComing #TrumpTrainWreck— Harry J Mitchell (@Harry J Mitchell) 1546279824.0
@kylegriffin1 If only the Trump Foundation was still around. Trump could "donate" other people's money like he used… https://t.co/c4fYY2FPPw— Wendy the Warrior (@Wendy the Warrior) 1546279789.0
Then again, there's always Mexico to pay for it. Right?
@kylegriffin1 @JoyAnnReid How about all of it, then have Mexico pay him back.— Cathy Coons (@Cathy Coons) 1546280147.0
@kylegriffin1 tRump can front the money and Mexico can pay him back.— Jocelyn Shaw (@Jocelyn Shaw) 1546279950.0
@kylegriffin1 @Kenikewahine78 Nah, Mexico is paying for it.— Stacey 👩🏻🦰 (@Stacey 👩🏻🦰) 1546283868.0
However, it's also unlikely that even Trump's most generous contribution would hardly put a dent in the $5 billion price tag he's insisting on.
@kylegriffin1 If Trump gave just 1% of his so called net worth of 10 Billion, that's a massive 100 Million. But le… https://t.co/3WCqkZPcWL— Jeff DeCola (@Jeff DeCola) 1546292381.0
@kylegriffin1 @JoyAnnReid NEWS FLASH!! He doesn’t have that kind of money! And if he does, he’s gonna need it for A… https://t.co/Q5IPr0f6ZO— Trina Golder (@Trina Golder) 1546290501.0
@kylegriffin1 drumpf can't even pay for his own golf trips or mar-a-lago parties.— ashamed to be human (@ashamed to be human) 1546282423.0
@kylegriffin1 LOL. I think Donny Dollhands is underwater in terms of net worth.— Jeff Blue Wave 2020 (@Jeff Blue Wave 2020) 1546286319.0
@kylegriffin1 Haha Freudian slip I guess. *Wealthy— Natalie (@Natalie) 1546279781.0
Trump has yet to respond to Jones's suggestion, but we have a feeling the writing's on the wall.