President Donald Trump said he is serious about wanting Canada to become the 51st state in an interview that aired Sunday during the Super Bowl preshow.
“Yeah it is,” Trump told Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier when asked whether his talk of annexing Canada is “a real thing" — as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently suggested.
“I think Canada would be much better off being the 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada. And I’m not going to let that happen," he said. "Why are we paying $200 billion a year, essentially a subsidy to Canada?”
The U.S. is not subsidizing Canada. The U.S. buys products from the natural resource-rich nation, including commodities like oil. While the trade gap in goods has ballooned in recent years to $72 billion in 2023, the deficit largely reflects America’s imports of Canadian energy.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st U.S. state — a prospect that is deeply unpopular among Canadians.
Trudeau said Friday during a closed-door session with business and labor leaders that Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state is “a real thing" and is linked to his desire for access to the country’s natural resources.
“Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing. In my conversations with him on,” Trudeau said, according to CBC, Canada's public broadcaster. “They’re very aware of our resources of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those."
In the interview, which was pre-taped this weekend in Florida, Trump also said that he has not seen enough action from Canada and Mexico to stave off the tariffs he has threatened to impose on the country's two largest trading partners.
“No, it’s not good enough,” he said. “Something has to happen. It’s not sustainable. And I’m changing it.”
Trump last week agreed to a 30-day pause on his plan to slap Mexico and Canada with a 25% tariff on all imports except for Canadian oil, natural gas and electricity, which would be taxed at 10%, after the countries took steps to appease his concerns about border security and drug trafficking.
While traveling Sunday on Air Force One to the championship game in New Orleans, Trump said that he would on Monday announce a 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., including from Canada and Mexico and a plan for reciprocal tariffs later in the week.
“Very simply it’s if they charge us, we charge them,” he said.
Trump’s participation in the interview marked a return to tradition. Presidents have typically granted a sit-down to the network broadcasting the Super Bowl game, the most-watched television event of the year. But both Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, were inconsistent in their participation.
Biden declined to participate last year and in 2023, when efforts by his team to have Biden speak with a Fox Corp. streaming service instead of the main network failed. During his first term, Trump participated in three out of four years.
Trump on Sunday will also become the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl in person — something he told Baier he was surprised to learn.
“I thought it would be a good thing for the country to have the president at the game,” he said.
During his flight to New Orleans, Trump signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 9 “the first ever Gulf of America Day" as Air Force One flew over the body of water that he renamed by proclamation from the Gulf of Mexico.
Trump in the interview, also defended the work of billionaire Elon Musk, whose so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has been drawing deep concern from Democrats as he moves to shut down whole government agencies and fire large swaths of the federal workforce in the name of rooting out waste and inefficiency.
Musk, Trump said, has “been terrific," and will target the Department of Education and the military next.
“We’re going to find billions, hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud and abuse,” Trump predicted. “I campaigned on this."
He was also asked about his dancing, which has become a popular meme on social media.
“I don't know what it is. I try and walk off sometimes without dancing and I can’t. I have to dance because it’s just that - something special about it," Trump responded.
Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed reporting from Air Force One.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
100 Comments
Wasabi
and Greenland, Panama, Gaza... What's next donald? You do not want Japan too?
This man is seriously crazy.
Tokyo Guy
I'll always hold a minor grudge against Canada for foisting Celine Dion on us, but not even that justifies trying to make them part of the USA. I mean, talk about a major downgrade. "You mean we'll lose our universal health insurance and the odds of us being shot increase a hundredfold? Sign us up!"
Laguna
That would be a pretty big state. And mostly would likely vote Democratic. He hasn't thought this out, as usual.
TokyoLiving
Seriously, what does that narcissistic psychopath think he is, the owner of the world??..
Soon the US will be a country more hated by the world, more than usual
Tokyo Guy
That would be a pretty big state. And mostly would likely vote Democratic. He hasn't thought this out, as usual.
And probably the first thing he'd do is ban the use of French, so people can't talk about him in a language he can't understand.
Peter Neil
obviously chattrump ai is having hallucinations. do all droppings from his mouth have to be reported on? the gulf of mexico was named 400 years before the u.s. existed. as dr. kelly, professor at wharton school said, “trump was the dumbest godamn student i taught in 30 years.”
funkymofo
As if that’s ever going to happen. What an an embarrassment.
Azzprin
Another mad trump idea
.
Send US people into Gaza to turn it into a wonderland
Deport the Gaza citizens to another country
.
Invade Panama canal to prevent China from taking it over
.
Close down US government departments and deny government programs that hand out money to US citizens like farmers and programs like medicare.
.
Invade another NATO member country, Greenland.
.
He has only just started his chaos reign and there is another 4 years to go before he gets kicked out by the surviving citizens.
If the world is lucky, he might die for a heart attack, or some other medical or non-medical stuff.
Chico3
Now, that's a real laugh on many levels. Good luck with that one. I do like the Canadian Prime Minister's offer instead: Canada can have the Blue states, while Trump keeps the Red states. I'm sure my American friends and family would love to have affordable healthcare for openers.
virusrex
Extrapolating from the current trend the kicking can be expected sooner.
Jimizo
Looking for attention again.
Like a child.
Bob Fosse
But his supporters said he was just trolling. It comes as no surprise that his supporters are as deluded as he is.
If he actually put some time, money and effort into something possible he might achieve something instead of continually walking back ridiculous statements.
bass4funk
That’s ok, the strategy is doing what it’s intended to do. Genius move.
I'veSeenFootage
I imagine in a few days Fox News will start airing pieces about how Canada is being overrun by nazis and how its America-loving English speakers are persectued daily. Then the White House will explain the need to "demilitarize and denazify" Canada. Something to that effect.
plasticmonkey
Always pathetic to see MAGA cultists celebrate even the most obviously nonsensical Trump musings.
Jimizo
There are Trump voters who voted for him despite his nonsense, trolling, childishness, idiocy and vulgarity.
Some may have voted for him because of this.
Imagine being in the latter category?
I'veSeenFootage
Ah yes, the famous "I Was Only Pretending To Be Retarded" meme as a national policy. Genius.
BB
Hey, only Trump can create the Riviera of the Arctic. It's going to be yuge!
Sven Asai
It's not about Canada, it's about much shorter trajectories. The same for Greenland btw
lincolnman
Our daily dose of Donald dementa...
wallace
Never mind the Canadian constitution or what the Canadians want.
Blacklabel
even Justin Canada was caught on the hot mic agreeing that Trump is serious about this idea.
deanzaZZR
Add four states, East Canada, Central Canada, West Canada and Puerto Rico. I dare you Republican Party.
ok1517
Looking at today's headlines, I can only shake my head, refrain from commenting and leave it up to the readers to finally get the facts and understand what Donald, Elon, and Vance are "achieving". As for me embarrassing, disgusting, instigating, a farce and an attack on the US democracy!
Trump says he is serious about Canada becoming 51st state
Trump says he is committed to owning Gaza, but could let Middle East states help rebuild
Vance and Musk question authority of the courts as Trump's agenda faces legal pushback
Zaphod
Wasabi
Some people really do not understand rethoric and the news cycle. It is a bit like tic-tac-to players watching a chess game.
deanzaZZR
The Donald will get around to demanding Okinawa in due course.
Jimizo
So what have your podcasters told you he’s actually up to?
bass4funk
Absolutely
More like because he’s a political disrupter
As if that’s a bad thing?
ok1517
bass,
"*That’s ok, the strategy is doing what it’s intended to do.*** Genius move."**
You are not calling Donald a genius now, or are ya?
According to those who must know he was one of the worst students.
Looking at his business records, can't be that much of a genius bankrupting 6 casinos (I mean CASINOS!!!!) and some more enterprises!
Looking at his understanding concerning the location of other countries, elementary school students do better.
Language wise, people have "stollen" things several times - not that I don't like that Christmas treat!
iknowall
Fun to think of the millions of Canadians having an American dream tonight.
Raw Beer
Only those who would vote for Trudeau today would vote Democratic. That number has been going down fast...
Jimizo
Really? Where are you getting this from?
deanzaZZR
What we have here is a greedy-by-nature USA president with McKinley on the brain. Trump will do anything possible to add territory to the USA as he thinks this will cement his legacy in presidential lore. Good luck world.
lincolnman
Hey, he told them all to take the COVID vaccine that they all think is poison and will kill and maim you - and they still love him...
Sound like a cult?
Harry_Gatto
Another lie
Really? Why? Travelling on AF1 and all the costs that that entails, that should come under Musks's purview surely.
..using his elaborate, over-sized Sharpie signature and holding it up for the photographers with his usual "look at me" expression.
Brain cells dying by the second, he's losing it even faster than his predecessor.
Peter Neil
my apologies.
i meant to say that the gulf of mexico was named 400 years ago, which is 150 years before the u.s. was founded.
and the coastline was all mexico.
nishikat
I would agree is the US can have Canada's government healthcare. What does president Elon think?
Peter Neil
the last time the u.s. and canada had a war, the white house was on fire.
and the most recent fire in the white house is now with trump burning down america.
Desert Tortoise
If that was the offer I would say my home state California should go its own way as an independent nation. California's economy dwarfs that of Canada and Canada would be almost as much of a boat anchor on California as the US is. Who needs the problems of Quebec and the French speakers? And oil sands and what they are doing to the environment are not a popular thing in California which has more oil in the Monterey Shale than Canada has en-total. But we are moving away from oil whether Jupiter likes it or not.
Bob Fosse
And opposing it. Don’t forget that little detail.
So, which are you? Is he serious and think it will happen or is it 4D chess trolling? maga here can’t seem to agree.
Blacklabel
uh huh and then it became 1848 and something kinda important happened.
now in 2025, Gulf of Mexico!
Desert Tortoise
People forget that the western US was Spanish and then Mexican territory before the US took it in a war over a manufactured land dispute along the Nueces River, a dispute used as a convenient pretext to take land from Mexico.
Desert Tortoise
Yeah, the US invaded Mexico on a phony pretext and took half of Mexico for themselves. Your basic illegal land grab. Pretty detestable actually.
Wasabi
Will the USA become the new Russia?
wallace
Which healthcare is better Canadian or American?
"Canadian healthcare is generally considered "better" than American healthcare. It provides universal access to healthcare at a lower cost per capita, resulting in better overall health outcomes compared to the US system, which can leave many uninsured and facing high medical bills.
40 million Americans cannot afford basic healthcare for their families.
stormcrow
Flooding the zone with all kinds of preposterous BS.
Blacklabel
Justin is taking it seriously somehow.
itsonlyrocknroll
Democracy in Canada - Democratic Institutions
https://www.canada.ca/en/democratic-institutions/services/democracy-canada.html
Canada is a sovereign independent democracy. Do you think the people of Canada will wake up one morning and vote otherwise?
In all probability, give give up the ability to hold there elected politician accountable, up close?
Politician came and go, Justin Trudeau, in four years time Donald Trump.
Nifty
Making Canada the 51st state would really piss off tiny Texas.
Desert Tortoise
It's like there is a giant sprinkler on the White House law spraying sewage thousands of miles in every direction. You end up feeling dirty no matter how you try to hide from it.
Peter14
Perhaps the next Ukraine could turn out to be Canada. Would Russia be interested in sending assistance and weapons to Canada to resist a US invasion? What about NATO?
Trump really is a geriatric in charge of a nuclear arsenal. As with most dictators wanting to build an empire, one of the biggest losers are the dictators own people who end up dying in huge numbers like Russian troops are right now.
Amber
Feeling sorry for Americans who are not intellectually challenged.
Bob Fosse
That’s right. Well done.
bass4funk
After 8 years of beating the Dems and the establishment of trying to bury him, yes, as well as omnipotent
So was Einstein, Gates, Jobs, Depp, Cruise, Travolta and they all are beyond wealthy, rich and influential.
And he still has Vegas we well as dozens of properties as well as investments. Forbes estimated his net worth at $6.8 billion. Bloomberg placed it slightly higher at $7.08 billion, not bad for a bankrupt felon. ROFL!
Good for them, he’s the President and they’re not.
We are doing very well, no need for feeling sorry.
John-San
This bloke is so caught upon his own BS he don't realise that China will not allow that to happen. Having Canada and Mexico hostile towards the USA is exactly what China wants and will keep it that way with well place and well timed strategic soft diplomacy. Trump is an idiot, a fool, a political imbecile fascist. Threatening Canadains with financial burdens and a political takeover of their sovereignty will only make Canadian triple down and became a totally cohesive population and society. China going to do what the USA have been doing to China since the USA renege on Taiwan policy, But China will do it slowly and without even firing a shot. In ten years time financial transaction between the USA and Canada will be in Digital Yuan. Trump the inbecile will tear off 40 years of life of USD as the prefer currency in just one term. Cooler heads would see the USD stay the preferred currency for a max of 50 years. Trump has just fasten up the USD decline. The Fascist Imbecile.
Ampas
Some years ago there was talk of the Turks and Caicos Islands becoming part of Canada. And Quebec sovereignty has come close on two occasions. Borders and maps change over time, and there are parts of Canada that would probably benefit quite nicely were they to join the US.
bass4funk
https://youtu.be/5n3L6iEsjQU?si=BGXyCC_GBNmMaJhy
https://youtu.be/fDm1UHT4C8s?si=HrPrNX8CpnPQVHWZ
No, that’s ok, they can keep theirs
lincolnman
Even a two-year old would see this is just another "Donald Distraction"...."see me waving my hand frantically here, don't look what I'm doing with the other hand behind my back"....
What the other hand is doing is knee-capping sections of our government that prevent massive fraud, ensure compliance, and act as "watchdogs" for corruption - all so Donald and his uber-rich buddies can continue to steal, grft, and fleece both the government and his gullible supporters...
It's never been truer, Trump gets the goldmine, everyone else gets the shaft...especially the MAGA-little guy...
raincloud
＠Chico3
Affordable health care!? Don't say that too loudly! Most Trumpies I know think that means "communism."
GuruMick
Olympic level trolling by Trump.
Puts out a thought bubble...media repeats it, forums discuss it.
How about something real....like the Yeti ?
bass4funk
Makes perfect sense
bass4funk
They really have no choice
None of those.
Not much they can do, since we are the ones that protect their nation
As well as the U.S. by arming them.
That will never happen, at least not in the ID
Doesn’t seem like it. Most investors see the opposite
That read was beyond funny
Amber
We are doing very well, no need for feeling sorry."
No, not feeling sorry for you at all
KnightsOfCydonia
was an ad for a show about what exactly not sure, nothing was clearly explained apart from a few headlines.
Did you watch the full documentary?
talks about nursing staff number problems and over working which is endemic in every country these days.
Not sure what point you trying to make here..
wallace
bass4funk
"Canadian healthcare is generally considered "better" than American healthcare. It provides universal access to healthcare at a lower cost per capita, resulting in better overall health outcomes compared to the US system, which can leave many uninsured and facing high medical bills.
Not if it became American.
Says the guy whose family and he uses Japanese healthcare. ROFL
J101
Donald, let's do it this way, the US will become a part of Canada, and keep your adult diapers.
bass4funk
But still has too many problems..
https://youtu.be/9M0xPn07T8w?si=BGUfZiMZ57jOC3kz
https://youtu.be/l-Ms1ZekHVU?si=0Uj8Y_d8BZkmu1o5
They have to deal with it
Not when I’m in the states. Lol, but again, the Canadians can keep theirs, best of luck to them
krustytheclown
Thanks, but no thanks, Mr. Trump.
I like Americans and I have nothing against them, but I am not interested in becoming one.
Afuera!
iknowall
4 out of the top 5 world's best hospitals are in the USA.
https://www.newsweek.com/2024/03/15/these-are-10-best-hospitals-world-1873871.html
funkymofo
Does anyone on here actually believe that Canada will become part of the US?
iknowall
I don't rule it out, and in particular, I don't rule out parts of Canada becoming part of the US.
Blacklabel
Less likely things have happened.
KnightsOfCydonia
the issue isn't about "best hospitals", but affordable healthcare for all.
Something many people from the usa just don't seem to care about.
funkymofo
Neither of these are answers- it seems even you guys can’t say it out loud because you know how ridiculous the entire idea is. Half of you are saying he’s trolling and half are stuck trying to buy into his fantasies.
wallace
Cheaper medical drugs in Canada with hundreds of thousands crossing the border to buy them.
The Canadian cost per vial is usually around $30–$40.
The average price of insulin in the United States is much higher than in other countries. In 2018, the average price of a standard unit of insulin in the U.S. was $98.70, more than ten times the price in other countries.
iknowall
No. The US has federal gun laws.
Blacklabel
its a great idea.
funkymofo
Will it happen before or after Mexico pays for the wall?
wallace
iknowall
Which healthcare is better Canadian or American?
"Canadian healthcare is generally considered "better" than American healthcare. It provides universal access to healthcare at a lower cost per capita, resulting in better overall health outcomes compared to the US system, which can leave many uninsured and facing high medical bills.
The US does not have affordable healthcare, and 40 million families cannot afford it. The largest sector of bankruptcies is people who can't afford their medical care. If you have the money, the US is the best place for healthcare.
bass4funk
But the PM wants the U.S. to protect them, makes sense to bring them into the fold.
That ship sailed, a new administration, Mexico doesn’t have to pay anything, we will pay and complete it.
Blacklabel
before.
Blacklabel
Good to know.
funkymofo
No, it won’t- same as the fantasy wall.
J101
I.e. Donald promised you nonsense. And you're fine with being lied to.
Bob Fosse
Bingo!
Meanwhile, how about them eggs!
iknowall
The US certainly has affordable health insurance. I am covered under a plan that costs about $5000 a year. $25 co-payment. Recent prescription cost $3.89 for 50 pills. Almost the same as what it costs me in Japan.
*As of 2023, around 92 percent of people in the United States had some form of health insurance, compared to around 84 percent in 2010. Despite the increases in the percentage of insured people in the U.S., there were still over 25 million people in the United States without health insurance as of 2023. *
https://www.statista.com/statistics/200958/percentage-of-americans-with-health-insurance/
*22 per cent of Canadian adults** — about 6.5 million people — do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner they can see regularly.*
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/primary-care-canada-10-000-canadians-report-1.7125990
Jimizo
Yes, but there isn’t agreement here about whether Trump is trolling or being serious.
He was clearly not being serious in the past about building a wall, providing great healthcare at an affordable price, throwing all illegals out and getting rid of the debt.
It’s not always clear when he’s trolling people or being serious.
The affordable healthcare at a fraction of the cost was a bit of cruel trolling. Some d people with health issues believed that.
wallace
bass4funk
85% of the Greenland Inuits want total independence from all countries.
Greenland is protected by NATO and Article 5. No need for US protection.
When Greenland becomes independent the US will be allowed to keep its base but the cost will go up.
iknowall
Neither is Trump.
Average wait for non-emergency surgery in the US---28 days. Canada--30** weeks.**
Now, the good thing about healthcare in Japan is the ability to walk-in to a clinic or hospital and get looked at pretty much right away; a bit faster than in the US. But, for about the same price. And for routine matters, I have not problem with Japanese doctors but if I had a major health issue and I could travel, I would choose a US hospital over a Japanese one day in and day out.
Slayer
Canada has always been the 51st state, they don't know it yet. I remember when Bryan Adams the Canadian pop star was interviewed about that in the 80's.
Jimizo
Well that settles that. No further discussion needed.
Play the Reckless album at the negotiations.
funkymofo
Bryan Adams? Oh, well that settles it then lol.
wallace
iknowallToday 02:35 pm JST
The US does not have affordable healthcare, and 40 million families cannot afford it. The largest sector of bankruptcies is people who can't afford their medical care. If you have the money, the US is the best place for healthcare.
The average health insurance monthly payment is about $3,500.
Why have American health insurance if you live in Japan?
There are many operations not covered by American health insurance.
Bob Fosse
You have a good memory. All those passwords.
wallace
Abortions are available to all Canadian women. Not so in America.
J101
Are the payment details of Mexico paying for it, as Donald promised, engraved in it anywhere? Only then, your answer would make sense. If not, it's no answer to the question. Thanks.
TaiwanIsNotChina
It will not become the 51st state while NATO exists and Trump can't make that go away. Just more asinine musings from Felon in Chief.
Ampas
"Does anyone on here actually believe that Canada will become part of the US?"
Not at all. But seeing so many people triggered by this has been quite eye opening.
funkymofo
Luckily, the incumbent is so incompetent and compromised he’ll poison the well for republicans for years to come.
funkymofo
Trump’s ratings are more positive than negativeamong:
Men (52% approve)
White adults (55%)
Adults 50 years and older (51%)
High school diploma or less (53%)
Trump’s ratings are more negative than positiveamong:
Women (42% approve)
Black adults (19%)
Hispanic adults (36%)
Under 50 years old (43%)
College degree or more (40%)
He’s quite popular among old whites and the poorly educated.