President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that Canada is “considering” an unprecedented offer to join the United States as its 51st state, in exchange for free access to his proposed $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense system.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State.”
“They are considering the offer!” the president added.
Canada has yet to officially respond to the statehood claim.
Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged that his government is in talks with the US regarding participation in the Golden Dome program.
“Is it a good idea for Canada? Yes, it is good to have protections in place for Canadians,” Carney said during a press conference last week. He confirmed discussions with President Trump and other senior US officials about the advanced missile shield.
The Golden Dome program—Trump’s signature defense initiative — aims to build a multilayered anti-missile system that includes weapons in space. The president says the defense shield will be operational before his term ends in 2029 and will be capable of intercepting missiles “even if they are launched from space.”
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