Donald Trump: I Will Build a Wall to Keep Illegals out and Get Mexico to Pay for It
[rush transcript]
COOPER: “There is, as you say, 11 million, who knows how many millions, 11 million one figure.” [Crosstalk]
TRUMP: “Nobody knows. By the way, most scary of all, our government doesn't know. They didn't have an idea. They don't have a clue.”
COOPER: “What would you do with ones already here? You talked about building a great wall on the border or parts of the border, about being tough. What would you do with the ones already here?”
TRUMP: “I would do something very, very strong. Number one I wouldn't think about anything until I built a wall. Impenetrable. There will be nobody coming in to this country illegally. That's number one. Number two, I will get ones that are criminals, drug dealers, and the people that are forced in by Mexico and you know exactly what I am talking about, because Mexico is smarter, and sharper, and more cunning, and frankly, have much better negotiators than we have. And I would get ones that are forced in by the country of Mexico, into our country. Forced in, those people would get out and they get out fast. The rest I would be looking at very seriously. But I will –“
COOPER: “When you say looking at seriously would there be a pathway to citizenship or I mean, you are talking 11 million at the very least.”
TRUMP: “It is too early for me to say. And when you say citizenship, the most we would be talking about was legal. But let me just tell you before I even think about that. We have to build a, we have to build a wall, a real wall. Not a wall that people walk through.”
COOPER: “OK. When you talk about focusing on the criminals, deporting people, more people have been deported under Obama than any other president previously.”
TRUMP: “And more people are coming in under Obama, by far than what president ever. There has never been an entrance like this. And they're walking in. They're walking right past our patrols. The patrols are telling them.” (Crosstalk)
COOPER: “But actually arrests on the border gone up significantly.”
TRUMP: “I can just say this. More people are in this country right now illegally than ever before. I will build a better wall and I will build it for cheaper. And Mexico will pay, I bet your next question.”
COOPER: “Yes. How do you get Mexico to pay?”
TRUMP: “Because they are ripping us left and right.
COOPER: “But how do you make them pay?”
TRUMP: “By the way I love the Mexican people. Many Mexican people work for me. Many Mexico people I do business with. They purchase things from me like apartments, et cetera. I have great relationships with Mexico and with the Mexican people. I love the Mexican people. I love their spirit.”
COOPER: “But how do you make them pay?”
TRUMP: “But let me just tell you, Mexico is making an absolute fortune. Because the trade deals with the United States are phenomenal for them. And horrible for us. They're taking our jobs. They're building factories, warehouses they're build things we are not even thinking about.”
COOPER: “So you say, renegotiate trade deals and in that put in a price for the wall.”
TRUMP: “Absolutely. They will do it. And I have watched these very stupid pundits say you can't do that. Of course you can do that. Mexico is making - I can do it. By the way, Hillary can't do it. Jeb can't do it. These people that are running most can't do it. Maybe a couple of them. I actually have a respect for a couple of them. But Hillary cannot do it. I guarantee you that. Jeb Bush cannot do it. I can do it easily. Mexico is making a fortune off the United States. They will pay for that wall. Believe me.”
