Tommy Fisher’s ambitious plan to win a border wall contract included what could be the next best thing to making a pitch directly to President Trump himself — talking to him through his favorite cable TV channel, Fox News. Fisher’s North Dakota-based firm was awarded a $400-million contract this week to build 31 miles of wall in Arizona after he made numerous appearances on Fox, repeating a Trumpian boast that he could build the wall faster, better and cheaper than anyone else. The interference in federal contracting by a president concerned some overseeing the process but, the officials said, Trump insisted Fisher could get the wall up faster and cheaper than other bidders. On Tuesday, the Fisher Industries president downplayed any role his appeals to politics and personality played in getting the contract. Trump recently pledged to build 450 to 500 miles of wall by the end of next year.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 04, 2019 00:33 UTC