The Blubber

U.S. President Donald Trump is once again urging Canadians to consider becoming the 51st state—this time on the very morning of Canada’s federal election.

On Monday, Trump took to Truth Social, encouraging Canadians to back a leader who would slash taxes, boost military strength, and eliminate tariffs—though he didn’t endorse any particular candidate by name.

"Good luck to the Great people of Canada," Trump wrote. "Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st State of the United States of America."

He continued: "No more artificially drawn line from many years ago. Look how beautiful this land mass would be. Free access with NO BORDER. ALL POSITIVES WITH NO NEGATIVES. IT WAS MEANT TO BE! America can no longer subsidize Canada with the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year that we have been spending in the past. It makes no sense unless Canada is a State."

Trump’s idea of Canada joining the U.S. as the 51st state first surfaced during his second term, and his involvement has only intensified the stakes in what’s shaping up to be a pivotal election for Canadians.

His continued comments—fueled in part by a tariff dispute that started in North America and then expanded globally—have stirred anxiety among Canadian voters, pushing the question of how best to handle Trump’s administration to the forefront of the campaign.

While Trump had toned down his public remarks about Canada’s sovereignty in recent weeks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed earlier this month that Trump remains committed to the idea of annexing Canada.

In a recent interview with Time magazine to mark his first 100 days back in office, Trump reiterated his ambitions. When asked about his past comments on acquiring Greenland, taking control of the Panama Canal, and making Canada the 51st state, Trump didn’t deny the notion, though the interviewer noted he might have been "trolling a little bit," according to the transcript published online.