What Happened to We Build the Wall?
We Build the Wall was a crowdfunding campaign and later a non-profit organization launched in 2018 to privately fund and construct sections of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. It raised over $25 million but became embroiled in a fraud scandal, leading to the convictions of its key figures for diverting donor funds for personal use. The organization is now defunct, and its tax-exempt status was revoked as of 2025.
Quick Answer
We Build the Wall was a private initiative that began as a GoFundMe campaign in 2018, aiming to construct portions of the U.S.-Mexico border wall through private donations. It successfully raised over $25 million and built a few miles of fence. However, its leaders, including Brian Kolfage, Andrew Badolato, and Timothy Shea, were convicted and sentenced to federal prison for defrauding donors and misusing funds. Steve Bannon, also involved, received a federal pardon but later pleaded guilty to state fraud charges in New York in February 2025, avoiding jail time. As of 2025, the organization is defunct, and its tax-exempt status has been revoked, with Brian Kolfage expected to be released from prison in November 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
GoFundMe Campaign Launched
Brian Kolfage initiates a GoFundMe campaign, 'We Fund the Wall,' to raise money for a private border wall.
Non-profit Organization Formed
Kolfage announces the creation of a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, 'We Build the Wall, Inc.', to manage the fundraising and construction efforts.
First Wall Section Constructed
The organization constructs a 0.5 to 1-mile section of fence near El Paso, Texas, on private land.
Project 2 Completion Announced
We Build the Wall announces the completion of 'Project 2,' a 3-mile section of fence.
Federal Indictments Issued
Brian Kolfage, Steve Bannon, Andrew Badolato, and Timothy Shea are indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly diverting donor funds.
Steve Bannon Pardoned by Trump
President Donald Trump issues a federal pardon to Steve Bannon in the final hours of his presidency, absolving him of the federal charges related to We Build the Wall.
Kolfage and Badolato Plead Guilty
Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato plead guilty to federal wire fraud conspiracy charges.
Steve Bannon Indicted on State Charges
Steve Bannon is indicted on state fraud charges in New York, mirroring the federal charges from which he was pardoned.
Timothy Shea Convicted
Timothy Shea is convicted after trial on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.
Kolfage and Badolato Sentenced
Brian Kolfage is sentenced to 51 months in federal prison, and Andrew Badolato is sentenced to 36 months for their roles in the fraud scheme.
Timothy Shea Sentenced
Timothy Shea receives a 63-month prison sentence for his role in the fraud, the longest among the defendants.
Organization Defunct and Tax-Exempt Status Revoked
The 'We Build the Wall' organization becomes defunct, and its 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status is automatically revoked for failure to file required tax returns.
Steve Bannon Pleads Guilty to State Fraud
Steve Bannon pleads guilty to one count of scheme to defraud in New York state court, receiving a three-year conditional discharge and avoiding jail time.
Brian Kolfage Expected Release
Brian Kolfage is scheduled to be released from federal prison after serving his sentence.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
We Build the Wall originated in December 2018 as a GoFundMe campaign, initially named 'We Fund the Wall,' launched by Brian Kolfage, a decorated Air Force veteran and triple amputee. The campaign quickly gained traction, tapping into public sentiment surrounding the construction of a border wall, a central promise of then-President Donald Trump. In January 2019, Kolfage transitioned the initiative into a formal 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, 'We Build the Wall, Inc.,' with an advisory board that included prominent conservative figures such as Steve Bannon, Kris Kobach, and Erik Prince. The organization successfully raised over $25 million from hundreds of thousands of donors, with repeated assurances that 100% of the funds would be used for wall construction and that Kolfage would not take any salary or compensation.
Despite these assurances, federal prosecutors alleged that Kolfage, Bannon, Andrew Badolato, and Timothy Shea orchestrated a scheme to defraud donors by secretly diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars for their personal enrichment. Kolfage, for instance, allegedly received over $350,000, which he spent on personal expenses including boat payments, a luxury SUV, and cosmetic surgery. The organization did construct approximately 0.5 to 1 mile of fence near El Paso, Texas, and later a 3-mile section in New Mexico and Texas, using a portion of the donated funds.
A significant turning point occurred on August 20, 2020, when Kolfage, Bannon, Badolato, and Shea were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. However, in a controversial move, President Trump issued a federal pardon to Steve Bannon in the final hours of his presidency on January 20, 2021, effectively ending the federal case against him. Kolfage, Badolato, and Shea were not included in this pardon.
The legal consequences for the unpardoned defendants were severe. In April 2022, Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud conspiracy charges. Timothy Shea was convicted after a trial in October 2022 on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. On April 26, 2023, Kolfage was sentenced to 51 months (4 years and 3 months) in federal prison and ordered to forfeit over $17.8 million and pay $2.8 million in restitution. Badolato received a 36-month (3-year) prison sentence. Shea received the longest sentence, 63 months (5 years and 3 months), in July 2023.
While Bannon avoided federal prosecution due to the pardon, he faced new legal challenges. In September 2022, he was indicted on state charges in New York, which mirrored the federal allegations of defrauding 'We Build the Wall' donors. On February 11, 2025, Steve Bannon pleaded guilty in a New York state court to one count of scheme to defraud. As part of a plea deal, he received a three-year conditional discharge, avoiding jail time, but is prohibited from serving as a director of any New York charity or raising money for charities with assets in the state.
As of August 27, 2026, the 'We Build the Wall' organization is defunct, with its tax-exempt status automatically revoked in 2025 due to failure to file required tax returns. Brian Kolfage is currently serving his federal prison sentence and is scheduled for release in November 2026. Steve Bannon remains under his three-year conditional discharge. The saga of 'We Build the Wall' stands as a cautionary tale of private fundraising for public projects, marked by significant legal repercussions for its leadership.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if We Build the Wall made different choices?