President Trump stirred up fresh controversy on Monday as Canadians headed to the polls, reviving his “51st state” rhetoric in a social media post that left unclear which Canadian leader he was actually favoring.
The Liberals, led by Mark Carney, were clinging to a narrow poll lead over Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre after a tough five-week campaign marked by sharp clashes over who was better positioned to shield Canada from Trump’s threats of punitive tariffs and his playful talk of annexation.
Poilievre has argued that Trump’s “51st state” remarks were a political move designed to bolster Carney, painting the Liberals as weak and more easily manipulated by the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Carney has countered that he alone has the experience and resolve to manage relations with Trump, citing his leadership during the 2008 financial crisis as Canada’s central bank governor and his handling of the Brexit fallout while heading the Bank of England.
More than 7 million Canadians had already voted in advance polls before Election Day.
Carney and Trump spoke by phone on March 28, after which Carney initially told the public that the conversation was respectful and that Trump affirmed Canada’s sovereignty. However, Carney later admitted that Trump did in fact bring up the “51st state” idea during the call. Carney downplayed the omission, suggesting Trump’s comments were characteristic of his style and that the overall tone remained positive.
Trump’s latest social media post on Monday morning shattered any hope that the president was softening his stance toward Canada.
“Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st State of the United States of America,” Trump wrote.
His comments instantly reignited tensions north of the border, injecting more uncertainty into an already closely fought election.