Donald Trump Short-Changes Border Wall Again During El Paso Speech

By Scott McDonald On 2/12/19 at 12:54 AM EST

U.S. Donald Trump Border Wall American politics

President Donald Trump made his way to El Paso, Texas, on Monday for his first major speech since last week's State of the Union. Though Trump hardly referenced a border wall as expected, he used his speech as more of a part two of last week's national address.

Meanwhile, former Texas representative and senatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, a son of El Paso, held his own anti-wall rally just blocks away in the border town.

Trump on Monday entered El Paso County Coliseum like it was a 2016 campaign rally at a packed stadium or arena. But when it came to the president's speech, it boiled down to the economy, U.S. military spending, polls, the press, oil, gas, Democrats and, of course, making America great again.

There was very little talk about his long-wanted border wall, just like in last week's State of the Union.

Fans flanked the president with conflicting messages, as one supporter off Trump's left shoulder held a blue sign that read "Build The Wall," and a supporter behind his right raised a red sign that read "Finish the Wall."

Other than taking a jab at O'Rourke during the rally, talks of a border wall seemed to hit a dead end.

The president talked about jobs coming back to America, unemployment at all-time lows for minorities and North Korea talks moving forward.

And in this pro-Republican crowd, there were chants of "USA, USA, USA," and those of "Trump, Trump, Trump."

Though not shown on TV, there were protestors who worked their ways into the rally to voice their oppositions, only to get quietly escorted away.

The president touted policies implemented the last two years, all the while dismissing any socialist movement progressing in the Democratic party, which drew a chorus of boos.

And even though he didn't say Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by name, he referred to her "Green New Deal" as "a hoax."

"They're trying to take away your cars, airplane flights and you won't be allowed to own cows," Trump said.

Trump also touted his military spending and "nonpartisan agenda."

In the end, the president left the Texas town with pretty much the same message he told the entire country and world last week, with no tough border wall talk.