UPDATE: Now the media is claiming that the White House is lying about having gained primetime coverage on the main networks Tuesday.
According to all our reporting, networks are still deciding this, have NOT agreed. White House is claiming otherwise and it isn't true. They may still end up agreeing, but haven't yet. https://t.co/QKujUlNwib
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 7, 2019
UPDATE: Trump will make that speech.
I am pleased to inform you that I will Address the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border. Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. Eastern.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2019
Top Republicans are applauding the move.
Good decision by President @realDonaldTrump to address the nation about the crisis at our southern border.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 7, 2019
Great opportunity to explain to the American people why we need more border security funding.
The current situation at the border is indeed a national security crisis.
ORIGINAL POST
President Trump is heading down to the U.S.-Mexico border this week to see the crisis for himself, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Twitter.
President @realDonaldTrump will travel to the Southern border on Thursday to meet with those on the frontlines of the national security and humanitarian crisis. More details will be announced soon.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 7, 2019
Trump also wants to deliver a primetime address Tuesday night to make his case to the American people.
As we reach the 17th day of the government shutdown, neither Trump nor the Democrats have much to show in the way of progress. The only change made after this weekend's border security talks were that Trump has backed off plans for a concrete wall and is now talking about erecting steel barriers at the border.
That will do little to appease Democrats, who insist not one cent of the $1.3 billion they're willing to allocate for the border will go toward a barrier. Trump has asked for $5.6 billion.