Canada 51st State

Overview

Canada 51st State refers to memes and jokes about Canada, and other territories less so, joining the United States as its 51st state. President-elect Donald Trump made a series of comments pushing the idea in December 2024, calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "Governor Trudeau," citing immigration issues with the U.S.-Canada border and highlighting Canada's $100 billion trade deficit with the U.S. as reasons why the country should join the United States. Internet users began posting memes and jokes about the notion of a Canadian 51st state in December 2024 as well.

Background

The phrase "51st state" has been used to describe territories people have proposed adding to the United States, thereby creating the 51st state (i.e. Puerto Rico). The phrase is also used informally to refer to regions or territories aligned with and supportive of or under military influence or control of the U.S.

In December 2024, President-elect Donald Trump appeared in the news after meeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago. News reports from December 2nd recounted Trump pressing Trudeau on illegal immigration via the U.S.-Canadian border and the country's $100 billion trade deficit with the U.S. Sources report that Trump then made a joke about Canada becoming the 51st state.^[1]

On December 3rd, 2024, Trump posted an AI-generated photo of himself standing next to a Canadian flag to Truth Social.^[2] The caption read, "Oh Canada!"

Developments

Several internet users reacted to Donald Trump's comments, as seen in a December 3rd, 2024, post to Reddit's /r/politics^[3] subreddit that gathered over 5,000 upvotes in two weeks. Senator Bernie Sanders^[4] quoted a Fox News tweet about the news on December 3rd, pushing for the U.S. to adopt Canada's public healthcare system and gathering over 100,000 likes in two weeks.

Trump continued to make comments about Canada becoming the "51st State" in December 2024 as seen in a video taken at a Fox News event on December 5th, 2024. X^[5] user @AutismCapital gathered over 2,000 likes on a video of the event in two weeks.

On December 10th, 2024, Trump posted to Truth Social, ^[6] writing, "It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada. I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all! DJT"

On December 18th, Trump^[8] posted to Truth Social again, writing, "Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!"

Online Reactions

Donald Trump's comments and news coverage of them sparked significant discourse, memes and reactions online throughout December 2024. For example, on December 2nd, 2024, X^[9] user @grandoldmemes tweeted an alternative U.S. flag with 50 stars and one additional star in the shape of Canada's maple leaf, writing, "New 51st state flag just dropped," gathering over 40,000 likes in three weeks.

On December 10th, X^[7] user @MrRaceBannon posted an altered map of North America, labeling California and New York as Canadian territories. The post gathered over 46,000 likes in nine days.

On December 18th, 2024, Donald Trump's son Eric Trump^[10] tweeted, "51st State! #Canada," gathering over 49,000 likes in a day.

Search Interest

External References