Donald Trump informed Fox News anchor Bret Baier in a Tremendous Bowl pre-game interview that Canada “could be significantly better off being a 51st state,” because the president continued to insist that his social media musing of a U.S. annexation of the Nice North is an actual factor.
“We lose $200 billion a yr with Canada, and I’m not going to let that occur,” Trump mentioned. “It’s an excessive amount of. Why are we paying $200 billion a yr, basically in subsidy to Canada? Now, if they’re a 51st state, I don’t thoughts doing it.”
The U.S. doesn’t present a $200 million subsidy to Canada, however it seems that Trump was referring to the commerce deficit with the nation, which isn’t the identical factor. In December, the products and companies commerce deficit was $98.4 billion, per the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
In what aired on Sunday, what Baier’s interview lacked had been followups, as he ran by means of a listing of questions for a roughly seven-minute timeframe, shifting from matters like Elon Musk, to the courtroom challenges to DOGE’s entry to federal businesses, to tariff coverage, to who Trump thinks will win the massive recreation. After some hedging, president went with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Extra of the Trump interview will air on Monday on Baier’s Particular Report, so it’s unclear if one other level might be addressed: An amazing majority of Canadians don’t wish to grow to be the 51st state, nor do most People, according to a recent poll. In Canada, Trump’s discuss appears to have additionally solidified opposition towards it.
In speaking about annexation and tariffs, Trump appeared to be drawing his inspiration partially from 1995’s Michael Moore’s Canadian Bacon invasion satire and the Blame Canada themed South Park: Greater, Longer, Uncut film of 1999.
Often fast to answer Trump taunts and coverage measures, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau was oddly silent on social media Sunday after the Fox interview. Mark Carney, the main contender to take over the Liberal Social gathering and the prime minister’s workplace from Trudeau within the subsequent few months, was on-line. Nevertheless, the previous Governor of the Financial institution of Canada and the Financial institution of England spent timing posting about assist he’s receiving from members of Parliament and never the assault on Canada’s sovereignty.
Tremendous Bowl pregame interviews with the president have grow to be considerably of a practice since 2009, typically mixing just a few hard-hitting questions with true softballs.
Baier did press the then-ex president in contentious interview in June, 2023, which triggered Trump to lash out. This time, round, it was a light-weight contact, as when Baier requested him concerning the problem to Musk’s workforce because it strikes by means of the federal authorities with little transparency.
“A few of your performs have raised some questions and had some pushbacks,” Baier mentioned to Trump. “Nineteen states attorneys basic filed a lawsuit and early Saturday a choose agreed with them to limit Elon Musk and his authorities effectivity workforce DOGE from accessing Treasury Division fee and knowledge methods. They mentioned there was a danger of irreparable hurt. What do you make of that? And does that gradual you down in what you wish to do?”
Trump responded, “I disagree with that 100%. I feel it’s loopy. And we have now to unravel the effectivity downside. We now have to unravel the fraud, waste and abuse, or the opposite issues which have gone into the federal government.” Trump went on to recommend that there could also be “kickbacks” at USAID, however he didn’t supply any proof.
The president did profess his belief in Musk, who he mentioned he’ll inform to take a look at the Division of Training, which has lengthy been within the crosshairs of the proper. Then they’ll go to the navy. “We’re going to search out a whole bunch of billions of {dollars} of fraud and abuse,” Trump mentioned. However there are apparent questions — not requested throughout the portion of this interview that aired in the present day — of Musk’s battle of curiosity as a authorities contractor and Trump’s appointment of him to steer DOGE.
