The president and the media don’t have a great relationship. And it doesn’t look like anyone wants to make amends.
Because Trump shut down an interview after being asked one idiotic question.
Trump Doubles Down on Bold Canada Proposal
President Donald Trump is unwavering in his provocative call for Canada to join the United States as its 51st state, dismissing suggestions that he’s merely jesting.
In a candid exchange with Time magazine, Trump pushed back against a journalist’s skepticism: “You’ve talked about acquiring Greenland, taking control of the Panama Canal, making Canada the 51st state.
Maybe you’re trolling a little bit on that [last] one.” The president shot back, “Actually, no, I’m not.” His resolute stance underscores a vision that challenges conventional geopolitics, sparking debate about America’s role on the global stage.
Trump’s remarks, part of a wide-ranging Time interview, highlight his knack for bold ideas that disrupt the status quo. While local resistance in Canada dims prospects for immediate change, Trump’s persistence signals a strategic rethinking of U.S.-Canada relations, rooted in economic and security concerns.
Economic and Security Arguments Fuel the Debate
Delving into the rationale, Trump framed Canada’s integration as a solution to what he sees as an imbalanced relationship. “Canada is an interesting case. We lose $200 to $250 billion a year supporting Canada,” he told Time.
Recalling a conversation with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he dubbed “Governor Trudeau,” Trump recounted, “And I asked a man, who I called Governor Trudeau, I said, ‘Why? Why do we think we’re losing so much money supporting you? Do you think that’s right? Do you think that’s appropriate for another country to make it possible, for a country to sustain?’ and he was unable to give me an answer, but it costs us over $200 billion a year to take care of Canada?”
Trump argued that the U.S. subsidizes Canada’s military and economy while gaining little in return.
“We’re taking care of their military. We’re taking care of every aspect of their lives, and we don’t need them to make cars for us. In fact, we don’t want them to make cars for us. We want to make our own cars. We don’t need their lumber. We don’t need their energy. We don’t need anything from Canada. And I say the only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state.” His comments reflect a push for American self-reliance, a hallmark of his administration’s agenda.
Canadian Sentiment and a Generational Divide
Public opinion in Canada remains largely opposed to Trump’s proposal, though cracks in resistance are emerging, particularly among younger generations. Polls by Leger Marketing and Angus Reid Institute in December and January showed meager support—13% and 10%, respectively—for joining the U.S.
An Ipsos survey found 80% of Canadians would “never” vote to merge, but support rose to 30% when American citizenship and full asset conversion were offered.
Notably, among Canadians aged 18 to 34, 43% backed the idea under those conditions, hinting at a generational openness that could give Trump’s vision traction over time.
While Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney has yet to face Trump’s annexation rhetoric directly, the president’s reduced mentions of the idea since Carney’s ascent suggest a tactical pause.
Still, Trump’s unapologetic clarity—“I’m really not trolling,” he told Time—ensures this audacious proposal will continue to stir conversation, challenging both nations to reconsider their shared future.
