Trump Says Canada ‘Considering’ Offer To Become ‘Cherished’ 51st State

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Canada was “considering” becoming the 51st state in exchange for free participation in his Golden Dome missile defense program.

Trump, who announced last week that his administration had developed a draft architecture for the Golden Dome project, said Canada would have to pay around $61 billion to join the program but not become a state. While Trump has frequently suggested that Canada could become a state, Canadian leaders have consistently rejected the idea.

“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “They are considering the offer!”

The Golden Dome, which is projected to cost around $175 billion, is supposed to protect America from hypersonic, ballistic, and cruise missiles. Last week, Trump said he expects the program to be “fully operational” by the end of his term.

“Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they are launched from space, and we will have the best system ever built,” Trump said. “We will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago forever ending the missile threat to the American homeland.”

Get 40% Off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships

Last week, he said that Canada was in talks to join the program, but would have to pay their “fair share ” if they wanted in. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that he was in talks with the Trump administration about the Golden Dome.

“Canadians gave the prime minister a strong mandate to negotiate a comprehensive new security and economic relationship with the United States,” Carney spokeswoman Audrey Champoux said. “These discussions naturally include strengthening NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command] and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome.”

Carney has consistently said that Canada would never become part of the United States, telling Trump during a visit to the Oval Office earlier this year that his country would not be open to the suggestion.

“As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale,” Carney said. “We’re sitting in one right now, Buckingham Palace that you visited, as well. And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale, it won’t be for sale, ever. But the opportunity is in the partnership and what we can build together.”

The first $25 billion for the Golden Dome is included in the House budget bill, which passed last week.