Donald Trump shares urgent message to Canadians about ‘51st state’ as voting begins in crucial election
Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to share an urgent message to Canadians as they head to the polls to vote on who they want as prime minister.
Mark Carney, who was only sworn in as prime minister just six weeks ago after replacing party colleague Justin Trudeau, is up against the Conservative's Pierre Poilievre for the vote.
Just a matter of weeks ago, Poilievre's party had a whopping 25 point lead in the polls, but Carney - who leads the Liberal Party - has closed the gap.
The election is believed to be too close to call, with the 'Trump effect' supposedly key to who comes out on top.
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The 47th POTUS has slapped tariffs on Canada but has said the country can dodge the hikes entirely if it becomes the US' 'cherished 51st state.'
Trump said it would be 'one of the great states anywhere' before adding the US and Canada would form 'the most incredible country visually'.
He added that the division between the two nations was created by someone drawing 'an artificial line right through.'
As an incentive, the president also said Canada could keep its national anthem if it joined the US.
"It’s so perfect as a great and cherished state. Keeping 'O Canada', the national anthem. I love it, I think it’s great, keep it," Trump said.
"But it’ll be for the state, one of our greatest states. Maybe our greatest state," he added.
As Canadians head to the polls today (April 28), Trump has issued a message to those voting via his Truth Social account.
The Republican president penned: "Good luck to the Great people of 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. No more artificially drawn line from many years ago. Look how beautiful this land mass would be.
"Free access with NO BORDER. ALL POSITIVES WITH NO NEGATIVES. IT WAS MEANT TO BE! America can no longer subsidize Canada with the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year that we have been spending in the past. It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!"
Poilievre has since hit back at Trump following the comments, telling the US president to 'stay out of our election'.
The Conservative leader added: "The only people who will decide the future of Canada are Canadians at the ballot box.
"Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st state.
"Today Canadians can vote for change so we can strengthen our country, stand on our own two feet and stand up to America from a position of strength."
Carney is yet to comment on Trump's remarks.
Topics: Donald Trump, Canada, Politics
Callum Jones