President-elect Donald Trump's former Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany—now a Fox News host—was called out for claiming that Canadians are interested in Trump's idea to make Canada part of the United States—despite polling saying the exact opposite.
Trump has made headlines in recent weeks for jabbing Justin Trudeau, the country's Prime Minister, with remarks about Canadian statehood.
She said:
“Could the American flag be adding another star in 2025? Well, Trump’s idea of making Canada great again by turning it into the 51st state is gaining some serious traction, especially from Canadian citizens."
To justify this, McEnany cited a remark from Canadian Ryan Helmsley, who told reporters that in Canada "there is no opportunity for growth" and that Canada "becoming the 51st state of the United States would rejuvenate me."
You can hear what she said in the video below.
McEnany's guest for the segment was Canadian Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary, who has been vocal in advocating for the idea of a merger between the U.S. and Canada. Trump claimed O'Leary would "start the narrative" on the union, despite O'Leary not representing Canada and having no official role in negotiations.
O'Leary mentioned conducting "unofficial polling," stating that "more than 70%" of Canadians might be open to an arrangement where Canada merges economically with the U.S. while maintaining its sovereignty.
However, more formal polling from Canadian market research firm Leger paints a different picture. In a survey conducted earlier this month, only 13% of Canadians expressed interest in the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state, while 82% were opposed to the notion.
McEnany was criticized after the segment aired.
Trump is threatening to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, citing their alleged failures to curb the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs into the U.S.
According to sources who spoke to Fox News, Trump suggested to Trudeau in a meeting at Mar-a-Lago last month that if a tariff for failing to address trade and immigration issues would devastate the Canadian economy, perhaps Canada should consider becoming the 51st U.S. state.
During the exchange, Trump accused Canada of neglecting the U.S. border by allowing significant numbers of drugs and migrants, including illegal immigrants from over 70 countries, to cross into the U.S.
Trudeau reportedly responded that such a tariff would completely destroy the Canadian economy. Trump replied by questioning whether Canada could only survive by "ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion."
At that point, Trump floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, which reportedly elicited nervous laughter from Trudeau and others present. He added that "prime minister" was a better title than "governor" but joked that Trudeau could still serve as the governor of the new state.
Sources said that someone at the table quipped Canada would likely be a very liberal state, prompting further laughter. Trump then suggested that Canada could even split into two states—one conservative and one liberal.
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