Obama clip joking that GOP will want a moat, alligators resurfaces after Trump report

Footage of former President Obama mocking Republicans by suggesting they would want to build a moat between the U.S. and Mexico resurfaced this week, after media reports emerged that President Trump had asked aides about the possibility of a moat filled with alligators or snakes on the southern border. 

{mosads}“This was literally a joke that Obama used in 2011 to mock Republicans on border security,” former Obama speechwriter and “Pod Save America” podcast host Jon Favreau tweeted Tuesday night, linking to a CBS News article on a speech Obama gave at the time saying that Republicans would “never be satisfied” with his administration’s border security policies. 

This was literally a joke that Obama used in 2011 to mock Republicans on border security: https://t.co/fg0QlGs9Nh https://t.co/buPejqeHRQ

— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) October 1, 2019

“We need to triple the border patrol, or now they’re going to say we need to quadruple the border patrol, or they’ll want a higher fence. Maybe they’ll need a moat. Maybe they’ll want alligators in the moat,” Obama said during the 2011 speech in El Paso, Texas. 

Lis Power, director of media intelligence at Media Matters for America, also tweeted a clip of the speech on Wednesday. 

In 2011, Obama mocked the GOP, suggesting they’d want a border moat full of alligators.

Trump made it reality.

Obama: “Maybe they’ll need a moat. [roaring laughter] Maybe they’ll want alligators in the moat.” pic.twitter.com/ABkGNSU2PH

— Lis Power (@LisPower1) October 2, 2019

The New York Times reported Tuesday that Trump suggested placing an electrified border fence on the southern border with spikes that could pierce human flesh, alongside a moat with alligators or snakes.

The Times also reported that Trump suggested to aides that soldiers on the border be allowed to shoot migrants in the legs to slow them down, but he was told by officials that that would not be allowed.

Trump denied the report on Wednesday.

“Now the press is trying to sell the fact that I wanted a Moat stuffed with alligators and snakes, with an electrified fence and sharp spikes on top, at our Southern Border. I may be tough on Border Security, but not that tough. The press has gone Crazy. Fake News!” the president tweeted. 

Now the press is trying to sell the fact that I wanted a Moat stuffed with alligators and snakes, with an electrified fence and sharp spikes on top, at our Southern Border. I may be tough on Border Security, but not that tough. The press has gone Crazy. Fake News!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2019