A prototype of the "beautiful" Steel Slat Barrier that Donald Trump plans to build along the US border with Mexico can be cut using a saw, leaked imagery reveals.
US television network NBC published a photograph showing a large hole cut out of a slatted steelwork prototype ? an early version of the barrier that Trump has promised to be "totally effective while at the same time beautiful!".
The image was taken following tests on the mock-up ? one of eight constructed near San Diego in Autumn 2017.
The leaked photo was taken following tests on the steel mock-up ? one of eight wall prototypes constructed in Autumn 2017
Each design was subjected to attacks orchestrated by the US Customs and Border Protection to ensure that the walls would couldn't be breached. Tests involved implements that could be easily accessed, like sledgehammers, pickaxes and power tools. However, the president claims the sawed wall was an early iteration of an improved design, which he is currently hoping to secure funding for.
"While the design currently being constructed was informed by what we learned in the prototypes, it does not replicate those designs," he said when questioned in a press conference on 10 January 2019, adding that the mock-ups were built by the previous administration.

Dept. of Homeland Security testing of a steel slat prototype for border wall proved it could be cut through with a saw, according to a report by DHS.
A photo obtained by @NBCNews s...