The Mexican president declined to create a façade suggesting that Mexico would finance the wall, which could have been beneficial for him politically. His refusal to engage in this pretense meant that he avoided a situation where he would seem to agree to pay while actually not doing so. This position highlighted the complexities of international negotiations and political optics.

By not endorsing a deceptive narrative about funding the wall, the Mexican president maintained his integrity and avoided potential political fallout. This stance could have shielded him from accusations of capitulating while allowing him to retain a strong political image domestically, while also complicating the American administration's efforts to impose their funding demands.