Trump’s Offer to Canada: Free Golden Dome Protection—But Only If They Join as 51st State
President Donald Trump once again proved that diplomacy and dominance are not mutually exclusive concepts—especially when protecting American interests.
On Tuesday, through his platform Truth Social, the President extended what can only be described as a bold and strategically comical proposition to Canada: join the United States as its 51st state and receive full protection under the Golden Dome missile defense system at no cost. Otherwise, pay up—$61 billion to be exact.
“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,” the president wrote.
According to President Trump, the Canadian government has yet to dismiss the proposal out of hand.
“They are considering the offer!” he added.
This is classic Trump: a tactical offer wrapped in humor, designed to highlight the unequal defense burdens between the United States and its neighbors while asserting American strength. It’s another chapter in what could only be titled The Art of Trolling While in Pursuit of the Deal—should the President decide to write a post-presidency memoir in 2029, assuming he decides to step down.
Last week, President Trump announced that the U.S. will finalize the Golden Dome project—originally envisioned during the Reagan era and developed in coordination with Israel. The defense system, expected to cost $175 billion, is slated for completion by the end of Trump’s term.
Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump reiterated Canada’s interest in joining the system:
“Canada has called us, and they want to be a part of it, so we’ll be talking to them. They want to have protection, also. So, as usual, we help Canada. We do the best we can.”
He added:
“I told you Canada wants to be a part of it, which would be a fairly small expansion, but we’ll work with them on pricing.”
The message was crystal clear: Canada, like other NATO allies, has long enjoyed the security umbrella of the U.S. military while offering little in return. Trump's post described Canada as a “separate, but unequal, Nation”—a direct challenge to their reliance on American power without proportionate investment.
The broader implications of Trump’s offer cannot be ignored. First, while annexation of Canada is historically unserious—reminiscent of early 19th-century military failures—the media continues to mock any such musings with absurdity, as seen in commentary from establishment figures like former MSNBC host Joy Reid.
Second, does anyone believe President Trump genuinely wants Canada to become a state? After all, Canadian voters supported globalist leaders like Justin Trudeau and now Prime Minister Mark Carney—figures emblematic of the liberal orthodoxy that MAGA America rejects. If Canada joined the Union, it would likely send left-wing politicians to Washington, D.C.—hardly a MAGA-friendly outcome.
Yet, even Carney seems to recognize the shifting power dynamic. As The Wall Street Journal reported, the Canadian prime minister has begun signaling interest in renegotiating trade terms with the United States, in what appears to be a quiet concession to Trump’s unapologetically pro-American economic stance.
Finally, President Trump’s offer underscores a long-standing frustration among his supporters: Western nations, Canada included, build lavish welfare states while freeloading off the American taxpayer for defense. They elect leftist governments that sneer at American values while demanding continued protection.
Previous presidents would have handed over defense coverage to Canada without hesitation. President Trump, however, demands reciprocity—or makes them pay dearly. It’s not just foreign policy. It’s the Art of the Deal, and it’s justice for the forgotten man.