President Trump says he will personally fix border wall price issues

President Trump promised on Saturday morning to bring the costs of constructing a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border “way down,” after a government analysis claimed the project would cost US taxpayers $21.6 billion.

The Department of Homeland Security said this past week that the final price will near $21.6 billion and take 3 ½ years to construct.

Immediately following that report Trump went on the defensive.

“I am reading that the great border WALL will cost more than the government originally thought, but I have not gotten involved in the…design or negotiations yet. When I do, just like with the F-35 FighterJet or the Air Force One Program, price will come WAY DOWN!”

I am reading that the great border WALL will cost more than the government originally thought, but I have not gotten involved in the…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2017

…design or negotiations yet. When I do, just like with the F-35 FighterJet or the Air Force One Program, price will come WAY DOWN!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2017

Trump sent his tweets from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., where he and first lady Melania are hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie.

Following his first days in office President Trump spoke with Lockheed Martin and Boeing in an attempt to reduce the cost of building the F-35 fighter jet and modern Air Force One jumbo jet. Following that meeting both companies promised to examine cost reduction measures.

During his numerous campaign promises, Trump said the wall would cost no more than $6 billion and would be paid for by the Mexican government.

While President Trump is known for his ability to squeeze contractors for every last cent, his projects are also regularly faced with overruns on their budget and timeline.