Paint It Black: Trump Orders Border Wall ‘Too Hot to Touch’

The Department of Homeland Security will coat the entire southern border wall in black paint as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to further deter illegal crossings, Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

Standing in front of a section of the steel barrier, Noem said the darker color was requested directly by President Trump. “When metal is painted black under this kind of heat, it gets much hotter,” she explained. “That makes it even harder for people to climb. It also prevents rust and helps preserve the structure.”

The wall currently spans about 700 miles of the nearly 2,000-mile US - Mexico boundary. Funding for an additional 700 miles was included in the administration’s sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which set aside $46.5 billion for border infrastructure. Officials declined to disclose the estimated cost of the paint job, citing ongoing procurement.

“This is about finishing the system President Trump started in his first term,” a DHS spokesperson said. “The wall is tall, it goes deep underground, and now with the new coating and added technology, sensors, cameras, and patrol support, it will be stronger than ever.”

The announcement revives a Trump-era idea: during his first term, the president reportedly favored “flat black” wall prototypes because they absorbed heat and looked more intimidating. He had also suggested sharp spikes be added to the top to discourage climbing.

Illegal border crossings have already dropped to record lows under Trump’s second term, according to DHS, but officials say the new measures will further discourage attempts.