Media Figures Mock Trump For Backing Off Previous Demand Mexico Pay For Border Wall

Media figures roundly criticized Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for campaigning on his claim that Mexico would pay for a border wall, then subsequently admitting he “didn’t discuss payment of the wall” when meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.

Trump Backs Off Central Campaign Promise: “We Did Discuss The Wall. We Didn’t Discuss Payment Of The Wall”

CNN: “Trump On Mexican Trip: 'Who Pays For The Wall? We Didn't Discuss.'” CNN reported, “Donald Trump said Wednesday that he discussed the wall he wants to build along the southern border with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto -- but not which country would pay for it”:

Republican nominee Donald Trump said Wednesday that he discussed the wall he wants to build along the southern border with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto -- but not which country would pay for it.

Trump's call for a wall that Mexico would pay for is a central theme on the campaign trail and one he frequently uses to fire up his supporters, so its omission from Wednesday's conversation was particularly noteworthy.

“Who pays for the wall? We didn't discuss,” Trump said when asked by a reporter during a news conference following their meeting in Mexico City. “We did discuss the wall. We didn't discuss payment of the wall. That'll be for a later date.” [CNN, 8/31/16]

Media Figures: Trump’s Biggest Campaign Promise Went Unmentioned

Vox’s Dara Lind: “Mr. Big Tough Negotiator Make Better Deals Trump Just Didn't Bring Up His Biggest Point Of Disagreement With A Counterparty?”

[Twitter, 8/31/16]

Federalist’s Tom Nichols: “Trump’s Whimpering In Mexico Just Made Jeb Look Like A Savage Nativist By Comparison.”

[Twitter, 8/31/16]

Daily Beast Columnist Stuart Stevens: “Sort Of Mind Boggling.”

[Twitter, 8/31/16]

New York Times’ Jonathan Martin: Trump “Didn’t Discuss” His “Signature Line.”

[Twitter, 8/31/16]

HotAir’s Allahpundit: “Pitiful.”

[Twitter, 8/31/16]

Federalist’s Gabriel Malor: “We Didn’t Discuss The Thing Which Is The Centerpiece Of My Immigration Policy. It Just Didn’t Come Up. Hah.”

[Twitter, 8/31/16]

Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes: “Trump’s Boldest Campaign Promise, Unmentioned.”

[Twitter, 8/31/16]

Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin: “How Does Trump Keep His ‘Mexico Will Pay For The Wall’ Nonsense?”

[Twitter, 8/31/16]