Trump tells Canadians to 'elect the man' who will let Canada become the 51st state

U.S. President Donald Trump’s message to Canadians on election day was simple: elect a leader who will surrender Canada’s sovereignty and allow it to become the 51st state. But other than specifying that voters put a man in power, ruling out the Green Party’s Elizabeth May, Trump didn’t suggest who among the other four major party leaders would be best suited to acquiesce to his annexation desires. “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,” Trump suggested in a Truth Social post Monday morning as polling stations were opening.

Good luck to the Great people of Canada. 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…— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 28, 2025

After again remarking on eliminating the “artificially drawn” border, Trump said Canada’s entrance into the union “WAS MEANT TO BE” and regurgitated his vow that the U.S. would no longer financially “subsidize” its northern neighbour. “It makes no sense unless Canada is a State,” he ended. Similar rhetoric and his imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods have significantly shaped the election, while also becoming an issue somewhat overshadowing inflation, housing, health care and other traditionally influential election-time topics. Liberal Leader Mark Carney didn’t have a direct response to the president’s latest barb, but a video pinned to the top of his X profile deals specifically with the Trump threat with the heading: “This is Canada — and we decide what happens here.”

This is Canada — and we decide what happens here. pic.twitter.com/1baJGn7pwv— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 28, 2025

The Liberal Party of Canada reposted the same video, along with several others mentioning Trump specifically.

Never mistake our kindness for weakness.Let’s go to the polls and send President Trump a message.Vote #CanadaStrongpic.twitter.com/J0dZVrvd71— Liberal Party (@liberal_party) April 28, 2025

Last week, however, Carney admitted that the president suggested the 51st state route during their first one-on-one call , which seemed to contradict the earlier reports that Trump “respected Canada’s sovereignty” in public and private comments. This came after Trump told TIME magazine he was “really not trolling” when it came to talk of annexing Canada. In response to Trump’s post, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre shot back on X, telling him to “stay out of our election” and reminding him that Canada will remain “sovereign and independent.” “Today Canadians can vote for change so we can strengthen our country, stand on our own two feet and stand up to America from a position of strength,” he wrote.

President Trump, stay out of our election. The only people who will decide the future of Canada are Canadians at the ballot box.Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st state.Today Canadians can vote for change so we can strengthen…— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) April 28, 2025

Meanwhile, at Pope Francis’ funeral Saturday, former U.S. president Joe Biden encountered Assembly of First Nations Chief Cincy Woodhouse Nepinak, who was part of the delegation. In a brief clip, Biden is prompted to comment on Canada’s sovereignty. “Of course it’s an independent country. It’s a great independent country. If I were to defect, I’m going to Canada,” he said before walking away.