Politics · United States · 3 hrs ago
Trump revives 51st-state rhetoric about Canada ahead of US midterms
Donald Trump again said Canada could become the United States’ 51st state at a campaign rally in Arizona.
He made the comments as he campaigns for Republican candidates ahead of the US midterm elections.
Trump also said Canada needs the United States, and compared its situation with Greenland.
His remarks came amid a trade war between the United States and Canada, with tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs affecting cross-border commerce.
In Michigan and Maine, Republican candidates in close races have highlighted the trade dispute, while some have urged an end to tariffs.
Canada is a major trading partner for Michigan and other Great Lakes and Midwestern states.
The trade dispute has become an issue in key midterm races, where polls show Republicans trailing in several contests.
The sources do not say what Trump or Canadian officials will do next.
Donald Trump renewed his call for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state during a campaign rally in Arizona.
He said Canada would become a state because “that’s the only way it works” and claimed the United States does not need Canada, but Canada needs the United States.
The remarks came as Republican candidates faced difficult races in midterm elections less than three weeks away.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra had warned Canadian politicians against getting involved in U.S. politics, while Industry Minister Mélanie Joly denied that Canada was interfering.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump made the remarks. Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra were also involved in the dispute over political interference.
- What
- Trump renewed his rhetoric about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state. Hoekstra accused Canadian officials of interference, and Joly rejected the allegation.
- When
- Trump spoke at a rally on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Hoekstra made his comments on a podcast on Tuesday.
- Where
- Trump spoke at a campaign rally in Arizona. Joly responded to reporters in Ottawa.
- Why
- The comments came as Republican candidates campaigned ahead of midterm elections less than three weeks away. The sources also link the dispute to Canadian comments and actions concerning U.S. tariffs.
U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra
Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly
Canadian involvement in U.S. politics
U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra
Hoekstra said U.S. officials were closely watching Canadian politicians for signs of election interference and told them to keep out of American politics.
Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly
Joly said Canada would not interfere in U.S. politics and would not accept such interference in Canada.
Hoekstra said on a podcast that U.S. officials were closely watching Canadian activities for election interference.
Trump renewed his 51st-state rhetoric at a campaign rally in Arizona.
Joly denied that Canada was trying to interfere in American politics while speaking to reporters.
- Trump’s rally
- Arizona
- Rally date
- October 14, 2026
- Midterm elections
- Less than three weeks away
- U.S. ambassador to Canada
- Pete Hoekstra
- Canadian industry minister
- Mélanie Joly
3 sources
What people are saying
They’ll end up being the 51st state, because that’s the only way it works
Keep your nose out of American politics
We’ll never do that and we’ll never accept that also being done to us in Canada
Canada is being put on the table
Posts on X
Trump on Canada: They’ll end up being the 51st state because that’s the only way it works. We don’t need them, but they need us.