There’s growing concern about Donald Trump’s latest antics, particularly his repeated remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state. He’s even gone as far as referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “Governor.” This isn’t just another example of Trump’s usual bullying tactics; it seems like his time in Joe Biden’s shadow, and the failure of his claims about a stolen election, might have pushed him further off the rails than ever before.
Instead of sticking to his usual complaints about Democrats and the media, Trump is now turning his focus outward, stirring up international chaos before even taking office. After making inflammatory remarks about the Middle East and threatening consequences for the Gaza Strip crisis, Trump recently set his sights on Canada. His reasoning? According to him, “many Canadians” supposedly want their country to become the 51st state, and he thinks it would save them on taxes and military expenses. This idea was tweeted from his Truth social platform, alongside a comment about the U.S. subsidizing Canada to the tune of over $100 million a year, which he claims is nonsensical.
When Trump calls something a “great idea,” it’s hard not to be filled with dread. After all, his past “great ideas” — like mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic, starting trade wars, and implementing tax cuts that only benefited corporations — haven’t exactly turned out well for the country. Now, in his ever-expanding arrogance, Trump is openly questioning Canada’s sovereignty. This could have significant consequences for U.S.-Canada relations, which have long been strong, especially considering Canada’s role as a key NATO and United Nations member.
It’s easy to dismiss Trump’s comments as just more of his usual nonsense, but that’s how these things often begin. He plants a false narrative, people laugh it off, and then he repeats it enough times that it starts to take root and become a serious issue. This is a dangerous game he’s playing, especially now that Justin Trudeau is also in a tough spot due to the tariff dispute with Trump, which led to the resignation of Canada’s finance minister.
Six weeks after Trump’s election, the world is already feeling the ripple effects of his rhetoric. He may not even be in office yet, but the damage is starting to show. If this is any indication, it’s going to be a very long four years.