Is President-elect Donald Trump open to the idea of a 51st state? A recent quip about admitting Canada as a state of the Union has resurfaced the issue and may suggest that he might be.
The joke
Over the course of a long dinner at Trump’s Palm Beach golf club, Mar-a-Lago, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada remarked that Trump’s planned tariffs could destroy Canada’s economy. The U.S. is Canada’s main trading partner, with 75% of the nation’s exports heading to the United States.
Trump responded that Canada’s solution could be admission as the 51st state. He continued, suggesting that Trudeau could be governor of the state, and then that Canada could enter the U.S. as two states — one Republican and one Democratic.
Trump followed up by posting on social media a graphic showing himself with a Canadian flag in what appears to be Switzerland, as a mountain in the distance looks strikingly like the famous Matterhorn mountain peak in the Swiss Alps.
Previous jokes
There were jokes in 2019 about Donald Trump wanting to annex Alberta, one province of Canada. Trump also talked about trading Puerto Rico for Greenland, in an exchange which may have also been a joke, though some members of Trump’s inner circle claimed that it was a serious proposal.
The Puerto Rico-Greenland Trade and the Fate of US Territories
Serious elements?
Assuming that Trump does not have designs on either Canada or Greenland, this series of jokes does suggest that he may nonetheless be open to expansionism, the idea of enlarging the United States by adding new states, perhaps in bipartisan pairs.
The former President also previously made an official statement saying that “There are 3.7 million American citizens living in Puerto Rico. As citizens, they should be entitled to determine for themselves their political status.” The statement continued, saying that “the will of the Puerto Rican people in any status referendum should be considered as Congress follows through on any desired change in status for Puerto Rico, including statehood.”
Real world effects
Many past U.S. presidents, including Biden, Ford, and Reagan, have favored statehood for Puerto Rico. Regardless of how serious Trump’s recent quips have been, it is Congress, not the president, that makes the initial decision to admit new states by passing a law. A simple majority vote would be required. As future President, Trump could then sign the law.
Updated on December 5, 2024
THE FACTS/TRUTH on Video:
US President TRUMP was biased and treated Puerto Ricans differently than other US Citizens-US Veterans residing in the States…; supports the Federal undemocratic control of Puerto Rico as he tries to deviate the focus that goes against our core democratic values; is AGAINST equal US Citizenship-Rights or Statehood for Puerto Rico or a Plebiscite to End Federal undemocratic control of Puerto Ricans…for no good reasons… like– “PR would vote democrat…”– when this isn’t true nor should it be a consideration in our Representative Democracy where everyone is free to vote their conscious. (Florida voted for Obama; now voted for Trump)! Today, PR has a Republican Governor, Speaker of the House and Senate President, etc.
TRUMP–INSULTS & STEREOTYPES Puerto Ricans, by calling them (US Territory of Puerto Rico)— quote- “one of the most corrupt places on earth”; plus, says other discriminatory things as an excuse to UNFAIRLY with-hold needed Disaster and other approved Federal Funds (that already come with Federal oversight measures)! Remember, corruption is an individual, not group, crime to be processed in our Justice System with due process… There are many other things Trump has done against PR.
WE hope Trump will change and support a fair non-Territorial Plebiscite to end the Federal undemocratic Status of the US Territory of PR–based on the FACTS-
AmeRICANS under Federal Suppression (since 1898)!
(Support-EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS; END PR’s UNJUST FEDERAL STATUS!)
Since 1898 (for over 126+ years), the Federal Government has kept the US Territory of Puerto Rico (PR)-(with more US Citizens-US Veterans than 21 States)–under undemocratic control (with NO Federal “consent of the governed”)-as the US Constitution is NOT fully applied to PR (part of “We the People”)! Thus, WE Patriots demand full Equal Civil Rights/ Fairness for ALL; revocation of unjust Laws; Federal Action (a Plebiscite) to END PR’s unfair Territorial Status!
“The Federal Government should be the Servant of ALL the People; NOT the Master of some!”
FACTS are: Today, millions of PR-2d Class US Citizens-US Veterans don’t have full Civil Rights—like NO Vote for US President; NO just Representation in US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Laws, Programs, or Funding (for Veterans, Social Security, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, Infrastructure, Education, SSI, and other programs) that other US Citizens fully get; NO permanent statutory US Citizenship (even if moving to a State), etc.!
++Plus, the Federal Government unfairly controls PR’s Borders, Currency, Laws, Security, Economy, Trade, etc.—under the old Territorial Clause (of 1787); unjust racist Insular Cases (of 1901-1925+); other biased Laws.
++Besides, Puerto Ricans face a magna CRISIS; Exodus to the States–which major ROOT components are: Jobs, Economy, Security, Infrastructure, and Federal undemocratic Territorial Status—where each PART affects the other. The unfair Territorial status affects everything; brings instability…; ties PR’s Hands to fairly compete-grow the Economy; limits progress; goes against our US Democratic core values & principles; is Un-American!
“WE THE PEOPLE come first; not Federal institutional discrimination!”
In our US Republic, the power should reside with all “We the People” (made up by Individuals)–per our Declaration of Independence that calls for “Consent of the Governed”; noble US Constitution that calls for Equal Rights-Fairness, and a Republican form of Government or a Representative Democracy! This is a Patriotic just cause to END a Federal separate/ segregated, & unequal biased Status!
“NO Federal VOTE or just Representation = NO Democracy or a Tyranny of a Majority!”
Our Federal Government can end this unjust inequity now; amend/revoke unfair Laws that limit progress. But instead, some politically distort; spin; stereotype; misinform; provide meritless/biased EXCUSES that blame the Victim; create double standards not applied to Other US Citizens! This results in confusion & stalemate–that perpetuates Federal subjugation!
You can’t have both ways (either support Equal Rights or Federal Discrimination)!
Puerto Ricans have loyally contributed to the development of our USA; defended our US Flag; cherish their US Citizenship; & have voted (2012, 2017, 2020, & 2024) to END the unjust Territorial Status as STATEHOOD has won all these local Plebiscites (last one with 57% of the Vote). But, US Congress has not acted to end Federal undemocratic control.
“Silence to Federal suppression; supports injustice!”
Fix/Focus: THE TIME IS NOW to revoke biased or unjust Laws; END PR’s unjust Territorial Status through a fair Federal democratic Plebiscite with well-defined/viable Non-Territorial Options, which are:
*STATEHOOD-MEANS: Admission to our diverse “UNION of STATES”—united under our US Constitution, Laws, & Representative Democracy; EQUAL & permanent US Citizenship with– full Rights, Benefits, and Responsibilities;
PR-STATE Identity, Constitution, Flag, Sovereignty, etc.–as other States & US Citizens have under our noble US Flag…
*INDEPENDENCE- MEANS: Puerto Rico National Sovereignty; PR Constitution/Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Constitution & statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits…
*INDEPENDENCE with Free Association PACT-MEANS: Puerto Rico National Sovereignty; PR Constitution/ Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Constitution & statutory US Citizenship, Rights, and Benefits… But, with a negotiated PACT between Independent Nations on Terms (like trade, defense, etc.) that can be terminated by either side.
++HR-2757/S.3232-“The PR Status Act” needs to be amended to reflect proper Status definitions (per above) OR do a clear new bill-“PR Fair Status Act”/“PR Democracy Status Act” that is more in line with our US Constitution, & US Supreme Court decisions…
“En la UNIÓN está la Fuerza!” (“We are Stronger with a Union of States!”)
Our US (a diverse Union of sovereign States-with own identity) is the best in the World—where each State complements each other; is stronger than by it-self …! UNITED, under our US Constitution/Flag–brings more Progress for the Good of All!
Best Option: “PR EQUALITY & PROGRESS with STATEHOOD!”
Only STATEHOOD guarantees a permanent statutory US Citizenship as “statutory” US Citizens (includes in a State)—don’t have a permanent US Citizenship–because it’s not based on the 14th Amendment, but, its source is the Territorial Clause & racist Insular Cases. Thus, the US Congress must protect those in the States or let them Vote in any Plebiscite.
“Puerto Ricans Sacrifice & Contribute to our diverse, but, United-USA since 1513!”
US Puerto Ricans (PR) are about 9m strong (most live in the States-Florida) as they are integrated; sacrifice, and loyally contribute (in all fields of endeavor-since 1898) to our diverse USA/ UNITED Ethnic Groups). PR patriotically sheds sweat, blood, and tears for our US Flag (WWI; WW-II; Cold War, Korea; Vietnam; Global War on Terrorism…until today); serves as a Strategic Defense Outpost-protecting the South-East approach to our USA–counter-acting, in the Caribbean & other places- threats to our National Security; has restructured its debt as its Economy grows, etc.
Also, Hispanic-PR Ancestors (1st Governor of PR) came from PR to Florida (in 1513)-107 years before the Pilgrims; others fought in the US War of Independence (1776); brought Christianity and other good things to our now USA. PR- serves as a Commercial, Security, & Diplomatic Bridge to Hispanic America; pays more Federal taxes than 6 States; has a better GDP than 14 States; is a US Market that creates about a million US Jobs; has the best Income per Capita than 32 Latin American Nations. PR helps grow our economy & protect our noble “UNION”—the best in the annuals of History!
But, Hispanic-Puerto Ricans are being treated unjustly by their Federal Government-Legislative, Executive & Judicial-that, at times, misinterpret our evolving US Constitution that today, WE OWN! Plus, some say: “All People are Equal” but, mean: “Some People are more Equal than Others”! In our US Republic– the power should reside with (like Lincoln said)-“a Government of the People, by the People, and for the People”!
“God Bless our diverse/united/noble USA!”
Support Equal Civil Rights; a Representative Democracy for all-include US Citizens-US Veterans in PR! Let’s UNITE, based on Merit, with Truth, Reason, and Civic Action for the Good of All “We The People”-Family, USA, and Humanity!
+NOTES/ Some PR Key Points–
US Citizenship (Types/Basis/Sources):
1. Individual Birthright (permanent) Citizenship-“jus soli” (right of soil) per 14th Amendment-States: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the US and of the State wherein they reside.” US Territories or Unincorporated Insular Possessions–are NOT mentioned nor have full Constitutional Rights/ Equal protection…(See “Insular Cases”/Other)
2. Individual Naturalization (permanent) US Citizenship-per 14th Amendment–process through which immigrants from other Countries can also become US Citizens if they wish to (8 USC Code-Naturalization)…(PR, under US jurisdiction, isn’t included.)
3. Acquired Citizenship (“jus sanguinis”-right of blood by descent) – those born in other Countries that acquired US Citizenship from their US Citizen Parents-… (per US Congress-8 USC Code)
4. Collective (non-permanent) Statutory US Citizenship-(PR)-per the US Territorial Clause & Insular Cases (1901-1925+)- led to the PR-Jones Act (1917); 8 USC Code §1402 (which can be amended or revoked or ENDs upon Independence).
+The US Supreme Court (racist Insular Cases)- has wrongly established that the US Constitution doesn’t fully apply to Puerto Rico, except for some broad rights that have not been defined (+Harris v Rosario-1980/Other biased Cases).
• Territorial Clause (Article 4-PR Status, not ELA), states: “US Congress shall have the Power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the Territory or other Property that belongs to the US.” (Is Un-democratic/outdated).
• USSC Insular Cases (1901-1925+ based on racism)-states unjustly-*“Puerto Rico is an “unincorporated US Territory; more foreign than domestic, belongs to, but, is not part of the US (soil)…”– resulting in a permanent “Separate and Un-Equal Status”/ 2d Class US Citizenship which goes against American core values/principles; a Representative Democracy!
*This isn’t in our US Constitution; is nonsensical/unjust legal gibberish or double standards NOT applied to other US Territories before PR; are based on Racism by same Court of “Plessy vs Ferguson”(Black discrimination); condemned as unconstitutional by Justice Marshall, Gorsuch, Sotomayor, US Justice Dept., and Others who support revoking them.
• Jones (Merchant Marine) Act (1920)-is outdated; stifles competition, etc.; plus, unfairly imposes higher costs on Puerto Ricans who pay 40% of total; badly hurts the Economy/Progress; as a majority of States, don’t pay this unfair hidden US shipping tax.
• PR lack of Parity in US Laws-Since 1898-results in the loss of about $300 Billion in Federal funds that other US Citizens get!
• PR is a US Territory under the US Congress. “Commonwealth” or “ELA (Free Associated State)” has NO legal meaning-are political distorted (cover up) terms that confuse or fool People as to the true Constitutional Status. (The US Congress is not above the US Constitution to create a new Status or give up its Territorial Clause powers.)
• Free Association is a Pact between Independent Nations (with own Citizenship), like: Marshal Islands, Palau, & Micronesia.
“Even if one US Citizen can’t vote; is one too many!”
The Federal Government must ensure—Fairness/Justice-full Civil Rights for all “We the People” (who come first)/ “consent of the governed”; a just Representative Democracy as it takes action to: (1) Revoke unjust Laws that are biased or undemocratic: (like-Insular Cases, 1920 Jones Act, & Others (2) Amend US Constitution (make better) — adopt: “US Citizens’ Equal Rights-Protection Clause” that treats all US Citizens equally-no matter the residency, under our noble US Flag (3) revoke or amend the unjust Territorial Clause, etc.
“UNITED, with Facts, Truth and Reason, for the Good of ALL!”
Please, don’t show a political 2016 Statement that afterwards Trump changed his position on PR– to not supporting a Plebiscite or Statehood. Let’s educate Trump and see if he changes back to doing the right thing–supporting a Plebiscite to end Federal undemocratic control of PR.