President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that Canada is “considering” an unprecedented offer to join the United States as its 51st state, in exchange for free access to his proposed $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defence system.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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.”
“They are considering the offer!” the president added.
Canada has yet to officially respond to the statehood claim.
Last week, President Donald Trump unveiled plans for the Golden Dome missile defence program—a $175 billion, multilayered system that will put U.S. weapons in space for the first time. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he expects the system to be fully operational by 2029 and capable of intercepting missiles “even if they are launched from space.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged that his government is in talks with the US regarding participation in the Golden Dome program. “Is it a good idea for Canada? Yes, it is good to have protections in place for Canadians,” Carney said during a press conference last week. He confirmed discussions with President Trump and other senior US officials about the advanced missile shield.
The Golden Dome missile defense system is designed to integrate ground- and space-based capabilities to counter missile threats at all four critical stages of an attack: preemptively neutralizing missiles before launch, intercepting them in their early flight phase, disrupting them midcourse, and blocking them in the final moments before impact.
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