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Its unclear why Trump (his intentions are often hard to interpret) but more generally MAGA or Republicans are keen on adding Canada as a 51st state. I can assure you that politically it would instantly become the largest and bluest (democratic) state in the union; the disruptions to the political balance of power would be dramatic in both the House and the Senate and especially to the Electoral College.

tecmo
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Its unclear why Trump (his intentions are often hard to interpret) but more generally MAGA or Republicans are keen on adding Canada as a 51st state.

They're not. To the extent that Republicans have discussed it on the merits, rather than as a sideshow, they've acknowledged that adding the more-liberal-than-conservative Canada into our system would be bad (on the whole) for the GOP.

Trump uses a number of tools in his dealing with people and countries, two of which are dominance and hyperbole.

He places great importance on establishing dominance, which is why he goes in for weird handshakes and disparaging nicknames. Describing Canada as a mere "state" of the U.S., or suggesting that it would be a step up for them to give up their country in exchange for statehood, is another variant of that. Rather than ridiculing them with a silly nickname, he demeans Canada by continually suggesting they're not quite "sovereign nation" material. Or to quote South Park, "they're not even a real country anyway."

His real estate developer side comes through with his penchant for hyperbole - he likes big, exaggerated claims and statements and gestures. He has a predilection towards bombast and hype generally - so he's not going to just establish a dominant relationship with Canada, he's going to actually absorb them. He also has a fondness for moonshot proposals that will make him a significant figure in American history; for good or bad, he wants to be one of the Presidents that people will remember. No "Benjamin Harrison" will he be, that's for sure.

So while he'd love for it to actually happen, it accomplishes most of his goals just to keep harping on Canada being a state even if nothing ever comes of it.

Its unclear why Trump (his intentions are often hard to interpret) but more generally MAGA or Republicans are keen on adding Canada as a 51st state.

No one is. It's a running joke that the media and the democrats don't get.

Marco Rubio explained it in an interview with Catherine Herridge:
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/278061259/rubi...

In an interview with Canadian-American journalist Catherine Herridge published on Thursday, Rubio recalled a conversation between Trump and Trudeau, in which the latter allegedly suggested that Canada would be unable to cope with increased tariffs.

"Trudeau says, 'if you impose [new tariffs], if you even out our trade relationship, then we will cease to exist as a country.' At which point the president responded very logically, and that is 'if you can't exist without cheating and trade, then you should become a [US] state'," Rubio said.

...which clearly indicates he was telling Trudeau Come on, man.

We will deliver them from the tyranny of free healthcare, longer life expectancy and a world in which mass shootings of their children don’t exist...

No one is. It's a running joke that the media and the democrats don't get.

If he had kept it in that meeting, it would have been just a joke. After all, in that context it was just part of the banter of the discussion.

But he's been constantly bringing it up over and over again, in policy contexts (like the tariffs and the upcoming trade war). Which takes it out of the in-the-moment "joke" category into the "deliberate choice" category.

Plus, "jokes" are real. In the sense that they can be a deliberate tool of diplomacy and politics. If Trump is constantly and repeatedly making a joke about Canada that is demeaning to Canada, it is a very real dominance play to emphasize publicly and irrefutably that the U.S. regards Canada as a nation not deserving the baseline respect accorded another sovereign country. Again, the "not even a real country anyway" joke from South Park, but reversed. In South Park, the joke was that Canada is very much a real country and only the yokels in the U.S. don't realize it; here, Trump is using the "joke" to hammer home that even though Canada is a very real country that Trump does not have to treat them like one. He doesn't have to accord their head of state with the respect due a head of state or use his title, he can constantly reference them losing their sovereignty (and their legislative authority and control over their own border and their military, etc.) to become a subordinate unit of government as an 'improvement,' etc.

Trump's always liked to use humor as a way of demeaning or diminishing his opponents, because it gives plausible deniability. It lets you engage in very deliberate insults of another party - but if it's pointed out that you're being insulting, you can deflect that it's just a "running joke" and that it's other people's fault if they can't handle it. This lets Trump continually label Canada a weak and subordinate nation without coming out and calling them a weak and subordinate nation, and that's a deliberate choice he's making to do that to a friend and ally.

If he had kept it in that meeting, it would have been just a joke. After all, in that context it was just part of the banter of the discussion.

But he's been constantly bringing it up over and over again, in policy contexts (like the tariffs and the upcoming trade war). Which takes it out of the in-the-moment "joke" category into the "deliberate choice" category.

Sure. Because Trump likes to troll the media and governments he deems unfriendly to him (and Canada's Labour party fits that bill). If Pierre Poilievre wins the next election, this talk will all but disappear.

Bear in mind there is a certain element of "turnabout is fair play". Would you say that other countries have been open and welcoming to the second Trump term, issuing glowing statements, or have they been more along the lines of "Not this effing guy again"?

Sure. Because Trump likes to troll the media and governments he deems unfriendly to him (and Canada's Labour party fits that bill).

But he's not trolling Labour. He's trolling Canada. And whether the Labour party has been unfriendly to him, they have continued to be friendly to the U.S..

Your language, "unfriendly to him...," is quite telling. That's the criticism of Trump, not a defense of him - he approaches international relations based on how he personally is being treated, and not by looking at the actions and interests of the countries involved.

Canada is not unfriendly to the U.S. Insulting them at every opportunity is not good foreign policy. It's a good way of converting one of the most stable and dependable alliances in the world into rivalry and hostility....which just isn't going to be worth it to pursue Trump's dreams of autarky.

Plus, "jokes" are real. In the sense that they can be a deliberate tool of diplomacy and politics. If Trump is constantly and repeatedly making a joke about Canada that is demeaning to Canada, it is a very real dominance play to emphasize publicly and irrefutably that the U.S. regards Canada as a nation not deserving the baseline respect accorded another sovereign country.

Demeaning other countries has real consequences. And those who say “it’s just a joke”, always seem surprised when those consequences come due.

On an individual level, it’s the guy who picks himself off the floor, having been punched in the mouth after telling a guy that he’d love to screw the guy’s wife.

“What the hell? It was just a joke!”


Some jokes will get you punched in the mouth.


And nobody else in the bar will have an ounce of sympathy.

It would be fun if the new PM could say something like "we have 10 provinces, so we'll come in as 10 states...how do we register to vote as Democrats?".

That would drive MAGA insane, and be very entertaining.

If it is joke, Canadians are not taking it that way; most of us are interpreting it as a real possibility. As a negotiation strategy it is also counter productive, as it has engaged Canadians and now many are willing to accept the pain of the counter tariffs making it much harder for Canadian leaders to back down.

As example; Premier Ford was really responding to public pressure with his threat to turn off electricity exports.

I assume there is a chance Trump actually wants Canada to escalate, in that case its Mission Accomplished!

tecmo
...

Some jokes will get you punched in the mouth.

Reminds me of a very old joke.

A poet went on a tour and one night he was in Texas. He sat on a bar stool on stage and read one of his poems, which contained quite a few choice expletives.

A Texan walks up to the poet and punches him the face, knocking him off the stool.

The poet gets up and says “Why did you do that? They were only words!”

The Texan replied “Yep, but down here them’s fightin’ words.”

Trump might just be using words, but in Canada, them’s fightin’ words.

...most of us are interpreting it as a real possibility.

The joke is the doofus in the Oval Office.

Can you guys hold some military exercises near the border? That would drive the Felon and MAGA insane.

You could also refuse to allow US cruise ships to dock in Canada, which would screw up many itineraries that rely on Canada being a "foreign stop", as required by the Jones Act. That would get cruise lines CEOs on the phone to their senators pretty quickly. Except for the trans-Pacific cruises, that would eliminate all Alaska cruises, as they rely on Victoria to satisfy the Jones Act (though, once we pulled into a cute little hamlet called Port Alberni).

If it is joke, Canadians are not taking it that way; most of us are interpreting it as a real possibility. As a negotiation strategy it is also counter productive, as it has engaged Canadians and now many are willing to accept the pain of the counter tariffs making it much harder for Canadian leaders to back down.

You really shouldn't. You can remind yourselves what happened the last time the US decided to try and invade Canada -or- how well the slogan "54-40 or fight" worked out for the United States in the 1800's.

I assume there is a chance Trump actually wants Canada to escalate, in that case its Mission Accomplished!

It seems Trump really is angling to assimilate all or at least a big chunk of Canada. And if he does, he’s not about to make it a state. Instead, he’ll push off statehood till sometime in the future…… waaaay into the future.

Now’s the time for Canadians as well as USians who think this is the stupidist idea ever to call their representatives.

Yes, Trump can make us all look like fools by saying “Just kidding”. Better that than being silent in the face of “Donald and Elon’s Excellent Adventure”

It seems Trump really is angling to assimilate all or at least a big chunk of Canada.

This, x100.
See, the concept of "Candian bacon" is BS and needs to stop. What they call "Canadian Bacon" isn't bacon at all, dammit. All that sh1t is is just cured ham and they damn sure didn't invent that.

So why should they get to f around with meal renaming? Time for Terrance and Phillip up there to Find Out.

You really shouldn't. You can remind yourselves what happened the last time the US decided to try and invade Canada -or- how well the slogan "54-40 or fight" worked out for the United States in the 1800's.

Donald Trump is not a student of much history- only a purveyor of historical tidbits fed him god knows who

And succeeding where other presidents failed seems to be a driving force with him.

So, who knows? Regardless, he shouldn’t be chumming the water like he is. It can do real damage that we’ll be a generation repairing.

You nailed it. Trump wouldn't know humor if it punched him in the face. We know that this is true because he hasn't when it has. The best political humor or satire punches up. Trump never punches up. He punches down or what he thinks is down. Have you ever heard him make a joking reference about Putin, Xi, Kim, or Orban. I'll give you the answer; it's noPe. (If this was audio you would have heard me pop the "P".) In addition to his many other unendearing qualities, his missing sense of humor is one.

See, the concept of "Candian [sic] bacon"

A very nice breakfast is Canadian Bacon, Belgium Waffles with Canadian maple syrup, some Montreal Melon and a side of French Fries.

Pete

Maybe Canada can invade the US and one side can join them.

And Putin can then take a side in the war and those Americans would fight against the Us-Canada contingent.


Not so far fetched.

Punishment for the tribalism.

Canadian Bacon also lovely in an Egg McMuffin. Or traditional Benedict also.

10 provinces and 3 territories - so bring in 13 liberal leaning states.

The Electoral College would completely change. The Republicans would be permanent back benchers. Maybe we could get some Constitutional Amendments through that would make a fascist oligarchy impossible from happening again. Maybe Canada could save us from ourselves.

Of course Trump would probably say that none of the Canadians could vote in federal elections because they weren't natural born citizens. Hell he doesn't even want natural born citizens to be able to vote.

A very nice breakfast is Canadian Bacon, Belgium Waffles with Canadian maple syrup, some Montreal Melon and a side of French Fries.


And see, you've just revealed Trump's next 2 targets for statehood. Did the Belgians invent waffles? Who consumes the most of those, anyhow? And don't get me started on fries; it's not like the French want anything to do with them anyway.

'Murica! Your cuisine will be assimilated.

If it is joke, Canadians are not taking it that way;

Tecmo, as a sane American I would like to apologize to all Canadians for what is happening. I'm still aghast at the turn of events.

Sure. Because Trump likes to troll the media and governments he deems unfriendly to him (and Canada's Labour party fits that bill).

I've come to think that you would defend Trump no matter what he does, no matter how bad for the US. You take partisanship to ridiculous lengths.

In addition to his many other unendearing qualities, his missing sense of humor is one.

Sociopaths have a sense of humor, but it is not recognizable to us "psycho-normals" (i.e. not psycho- or socio- paths) as a sense of humor. It is generally sadistic or manipulative, not "fun". Which is why most of us here would say that the Felon has no sense of humor; we're "psycho-normals" (believe it or not!! ;-)

Tecmo, as a sane American I would like to apologize to all Canadians for what is happening. I'm still aghast at the turn of events.

Unless you voted for the Felon (which I'm sure you didn't), you have nothing to apologize for. This isn't your mess, it's the Trumpie/fascist's mess.

But I am genuinely ashamed of my country at his point. We've betrayed everything we have stood for since leading the world out of darkness 80 years ago**, as well as our partners in that venture.

So tariff away on the USA. We, as a nation, deserve it. And don't invite us to the G7. Go G6 for a while. That'll enrage the Felon.





**Not to lessen the contributions of the many nations in that fight, but it was the USA that tipped the scales in freedom's favor back then. Without us, "Man in the High Castle" might not be fiction.

You nailed it. Trump wouldn't know humor if it punched him in the face.

We know he's a narcissist. But I really believe he is, in some degree, a sociopath. A man without empathy. Why do people allow bastards like that to gain power over them? Over and over again through history.

10 provinces and 3 territories - so bring in 13 liberal leaning states.

I remember when this 51st idea was first floated and I told Dope,etc., go ahead, they're all libs. Silence. Then later Dope, etc., after realizing what would happen only wanted Alberta and another province - think it was Saskatchewan. So I began negotiating for Canada and said they'd trade Alberta and Saskatchewan for California and New York. More silence. And I'd say - Oh c'mon, they're blue states, poorly run right? Ya don't like em, so trade them for those provinces. They wouldn't trade because those are big money states that actually support a lot of red states.

Now I'd like to say there are a lot of purple states, and I like the Western states - it's just too cold a lot of the time. I'd have to be a snow bird.

Leave Canada alone MAGA, they're good people.

Leave Canada alone MAGA, they're good people.

Yeah.

But I'd love it if their PM could play with the Felon like you played with local MAGAs. But I'm sure he'd get a lot of blowback from his constituents, not realizing that he was just yanking the Felon's chain.

"OK...we'll join as long as we get full votes and representation in the 2026 election, and onwards."

It would be the end of conservatism as a viable influence nationally, though the red states probably wouldn't change at the state/local level. But nationally they would never be the majority again.

But I'd love it if their PM could play with the Felon like you played with local MAGAs. But I'm sure he'd get a lot of blowback from his constituents, not realizing that he was just yanking the Felon's chain.

"OK...we'll join as long as we get full votes and representation in the 2026 election, and onwards."

It would be the end of conservatism as a viable influence nationally, though the red states probably wouldn't change at the state/local level. But nationally they would never be the majority again.

It's not in our nature. What the US might see however is a Canadian version of "Fuck Around, Find Out"

tecmo
...

It's not in our nature. What the US might see however is a Canadian version of "Fuck Around, Find Out"

A lot of Canadians are taught, "Its never OK to start a fight, but its perfectly fine to finish one"

tecmo
...

A lot of Canadians are taught, "Its never OK to start a fight, but its perfectly fine to finish one"

I was taught that, too.

But it wouldn't be a fight...you'd be "going along". Even if you weren't serious, it would be fun to yank his chain.

I wish I could emigrate to Canada. You may have problems, but your people and leaders aren't certifiably insane. Alas, I'm retired, so Canada doesn't want me.

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