24 Brutally Honest Reactions From Canadians In Response To Donald Trump Threatening To Make Canada The 51st State
As the entire world has heard by now, President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to use "economic force" to make Canada join the United States under his next administration.
A reporter recently asked Trump during a press conference: "Are you also considering military force to annex and acquire Canada?"
"No. Economic force," Trump responded. "Canada and the United States, that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security. Don't forget, we basically protect Canada."
In response, Justin Trudeau, who is reportedly stepping down as Canada's prime minister, recently wrote on X: "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States." Trump-ally Elon Musk then responded: "Girl, you're not the governor of Canada anymore, so doesn't matter what you say."
With all this back and forth, we decided to ask real-life Canadians in the BuzzFeed Community to share their reactions to Trump's statements and if they'd support Canada joining the US, and they did not hold back.
1."I'm Canadian. Hell to the no! I do not want to be American. No one I know wants to be American. I am not giving up my free healthcare and strict gun laws. And I am definitely not giving up my right to choose as a woman!"
2."I was born in the US to a Canadian mother. We returned to Canada when I was 2 years old. Throughout my youth and young adult life, we traveled to the US often on holidays. I've had the privilege of seeing many parts of your country from coast to coast. I used to consider my dual citizenship exactly that, a great privilege. Over the years, I have visited less and less. In 2014, when changes to the tax laws were coming, I chose to renounce my citizenship. To be honest, I am so glad I did. Over the years, I identify less and less with our American neighbors."
"Now that I am a parent, I would rather take my son on a vacation to Europe for fear of our safety in the US. Your lax gun laws make me afraid that we could be shot while vacationing in any part of your country. My husband has a medical marijuana license, but we fear traveling in the US because the laws vary from state to state, and we might unknowingly put ourselves in a vulnerable position. I watched in disbelief the events that occurred on Jan. 6 at the US Capitol. This was NOT the America we knew.
The changes in your Supreme Court and taking away the woman's right to choose is just another thing to add to the growing list of differences between Canada and America. Trump and the MAGA movement is the antithesis of what Canadians stand for. We saw your political unrest spill over into our country with the freedom convoy that came to our Capital to protest. I don't like seeing the influence you're having on some of us, and we won't stand for it. We are not America. We never will be. In fact, I think America would benefit from a more Canadian viewpoint."—Anonymous
3."I NEVER, EVER want to be an American or join in any way with the USA! Whether Americans realize it or not, when they voted Donald Trump in, they are now living in an autocratic society. They can have their guns and keep them right there in the US. Canada is the best. Always has been and always will be."
4."I can't help thinking he is using us, Mexico, and Panama as a way to deflect and blame for the shitstorm he is going to have at home when he can't give them what he promised. 'See, it's those Canadians who are the cause of your expensive products, not me. The food is too costly because of Mexico, not me.' He wants to make all of us his scapegoats."
5."Americans would be better off joining Canada than Canadians would be joining the USA."
6."I am a proud Canadian and detest Donald Trump and everything his family stands for. He is an embarrassment to the world. No way in hell would I ever want to be a part of the country he has turned into utter chaos. He turns my stomach. I still find it hard to believe that he won that election fairly and that such a monster is about to become the president of the United States."
7."We are being threatened by the president-elect of the United States. He needs to be censured by the UN. We need every sovereign nation in the world to stand up and say this will not be tolerated because if we are not safe, then neither is any other country."
—Anonymous
8."As a Canadian, I view the US as a good neighbor, but it doesn't mean I want to move in with them."
—Anonymous
9."Ask me 15 years ago, and I would have been ready to take up arms against any US threat; now, I'm not sure. The Liberal government, led by Trudeau, has divided and nearly destroyed our culture with 'woke ideology.'"
"They've also nearly destroyed our economy by putting such emphasis on a carbon tax that has done nothing but increase the prices of everything and caused businesses to leave our country. If Liberals are elected here again, I'll embrace Trump and the USA, or I'll absolutely leave this once-great nation."
—Anonymous
10."Although I have worked, lived, and have investments in the US, and have many dear American friends, Canada is a significantly different country with a different approach and outlook than the US. Although I truly enjoyed living there, we are seen by our American friends as poor cousins, and any merger would be on their terms and would mean us changing to suit them, bringing in the worst aspects of their culture. So hell no!"
"And just as American politicians and citizens don’t like being told what to do, our dear US friends should stop meddling in our affairs. We need to, in no uncertain terms, tell Trump and Elon to stay out of our business and the affairs of other countries, or otherwise, we need to start meddling in theirs and see how they like that."
—Anonymous
11."I am a Canadian born in Ottawa, Ontario. I joined the American Army in 1968 and served in Vietnam for one year. I moved back to Canada after my stint with the American Army. I would be the first one to vote to become part of the United States. I love the idea of being able to go to Hawaii or Florida anytime I want with no passport needed."
—Anonymous
12."I would be over the moon to become an American. The USA is the greatest country in the world. Canada has been riding their coattails for years. To be annexed into the US would be a dream come true. I have the Stars and Stripes hanging in my garage. I would love to wave it outside. Go, President Trump."
—Anonymous
13."We currently have no one in our country intelligent enough to run this amazing place we live in. A country rich in resources. Trudeau and his supporters have left the country and its citizens in ruins."
"All of this tax money is going directly into the pockets of the politicians, and the rest is being sent over to countries for no reason at all. Canadians are sick and tired of this mess. Gone is the middle class. Trudeau and his gang should be ashamed of what they have done. It's time to join the United States and become one great North American nation!"
—Anonymous
14."The US has made their bed, and we don't want to lie in it."
—Anonymous
15."We should become the 51st state in trade only. The United States and Canada have the longest, friendliest relationship in the world, and it should continue as such. Becoming part of the United States outside of free trade is not necessary, nor would it happen."
16."I support joining the USA as a Canadian. The world is changing, and we are stronger together, so we should unite. We are heavily taxed in Canada, and there is no longer any reward for hard work. Canada, on its own, is unable to financially and militarily support itself. Becoming the 51st state is a great invitation."
—Anonymous
17."Honestly, I don't think Canada becoming part of the US will be good for Trump. We are a lot more liberal than the US and probably wouldn't even vote for GOP candidates anyway."
"It would be like adding a second California in terms of population and political views, and according to the GOP, California is 95% blue-haired liberal. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."
—Anonymous
18."People need to be taking this more seriously than they are right now. The number of people who are writing this off as 'just a joke' are complete idiots. Please understand and think about the lunacy that the leader of a country is threatening to annex another country completely unprovoked. This should never be taken lightly. I will be boycotting American companies and American products, and I hope fellow Canadians will do the same."
"My Amazon and Netflix accounts have been canceled; I will be spending no money on American products in the future. I need people to understand that there is absolutely no benefit to Canadians if this were to happen. The only people who benefit are the rich and political elite of America, and I'm sure as fuck not going to let them profit off of us. Hearing Fox News anchors saying how it would be a privilege for us to be taken over by America?"
—Anonymous
19."Some Canadians may think, 'Great, now I can get my green card and move to sunny California or warm Florida.' However, the reality is that Trump is not into giving gifts to citizens and making things easy for them. He's self-motivated and serves his own interests."
"So there would definitely be restrictions on geographic movements for Canadians, goodbye to the federal pension programs and employment insurance Canadians have been paying into, and, of course, the dismantling of our universal healthcare. No thanks, Trump."
—Anonymous
20."It would be catastrophic for Canada to fall under the influence of an unstable megalomaniac. Our hard-won rights, including access to abortion and protections for the LGBTQ community, would be at grave risk of being dismantled."
—Anonymous
21."I am a dual citizen of both countries but born and raised mostly in Canada. My whole family still lives in Canada. I think it would be terrible to blend the two countries. As someone who has lived in both, Canada is cleaner and more European, while the US is way more congested and capitalistic."
"Canada is a cultural mosaic, and the US is a melting pot that does not always appreciate cultural differences. As far as the behavior of people, there's not a whole lot of difference. But I will say that, like Americans, Canadians are very patriotic and proud. Just more subtle about it. I don't think they would ever accept merging with the US. It would mean losing everything special about a proud and native land."
—Anonymous
22."It’s not that we don’t like the idea, but losing our free healthcare is out of the question."
—Anonymous
23."I grew up in Canada and live in the US now, so I know. Canada felt safer, less chaotic, more supportive, less brash. I grew up poor and didn't have a clue what a medical bill was. I was legitimately confused by all the medical debt commercials I saw as a kid. I also didn't worry about gun enthusiasts fulfilling their hero complex or fears. Trump needs to keep his imperialist aspirations to himself. It's disrespectful and gross."
—Anonymous
And finally...
24."This guy is delusional and no better than a schoolyard bully. Does he really think Canadians are any less patriotic than Americans? Stay in your own lane."
—Anonymous
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
