Whether in jest or genuinely, US President-elect Donald Trump keeps pushing the idea that Canada should become the 51st US state, and Canadians are pretty sick of it.
On Monday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his plans to resign as PM and head of the Liberal Party. Trump immediately commented on Canadian affairs, leveraging the threat of increased tariffs as a bargaining chip.
“Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st state. The United States can no longer suffer the massive trade deficits and subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this and resigned,” he said on Truth Social. “If Canada merged with the US, there would be no tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great nation it would be!!!”
Many Canadians quickly shut him down, but one Member of Parliament had had enough.
Charlie Angus, an NDP member and MP of the Timmins-James Bay constituency in Ontario, did not hold back when he posted a spicy retort on Bluesky, including a screenshot of Trump’s post.
“Convicted sexual abusers don’t get to lead our nation”
“Dear Donald. Canada has something called democracy. It means the leader is accountable to Parliament and can be replaced,” he said. “I bet Americans wish they had that now. And convicted sexual abusers don’t get to lead our nation. We’re decent folk. PS. Button up. We’re sending frigid cold your way. Love, Canada.”
In May 2023, a federal jury in Manhattan handed down the verdict in a civil case that Trump had sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s.
Trump said that the victim had made up the accusations and said it wouldn’t have happened because she wasn’t his type. He was found liable for sexually abusing Carroll and defaming her and was ordered to pay damages. In December 2024, the US President-elect challenged the verdict, but the court rejected his appeal.
Continuing his thread on Bluesky, Angus said what struck him about Trump’s “51st state” post after Trudeau’s resignation was that “he’s seriously not fit for public office.”
“His nemesis Trudeau resigned. I was expecting him to do a victory dance. Instead, we got fed this moron slop that not even MAGA dimwits could take to the bank. Putin must be thrilled at the state of America,” he shared.
Not only did many Canadians agree with Angus, but embarrassed Americans also supported him.
“American here, wishing I lived in Canada. I did not vote for this cheating, blithering, unfit moron. Back to being ashamed of being an American again. I thought those times were past us,” said Nessie J.
“As a white, midwestern-born American, I say with utter seriousness that I would sooner enlist in the Canadian or Danish army to protect Canada and Greenland from America than I would fight for that grotesque creature known as Donald Trump,” added Brett Wolfe.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford counteroffered Trump, saying, “How about we buy Alaska?” He added, “We’ll throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time.”
“To the president, I’ll make him a counter offer. How about if we buy Alaska?”
You need bulldogs like Doug Ford sometimes. pic.twitter.com/sTJy8v7pfN
— David Beaudoin (@DavidABeaudoin) January 6, 2025
Using “economic force” to acquire Canada
On Tuesday morning, during a press conference, a reporter asked Trump if he planned to use military force to annex or acquire Canada. He said he planned to use “economic force” to make Canada a US state instead.
Trump says he plans to use “economic force” to make Canada a state pic.twitter.com/fNxQ59FQlS
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 7, 2025
People are starting to find Trump’s ongoing comments about Canada repetitive and unfunny, and many think his antics don’t deserve the attention they’re getting.
“Am I the only one who finds it insane that reporters keep asking if Trump plans to ‘acquire’ Canada like it’s a f**king rare car and not a sovereign nation?” Canadian journalist Manisha Krishnan asked on X.
What are your thoughts?