President Donald Trump is making headlines again with a bold proposal: he’s offered Canada the chance to become the 51st U.S. state. According to Trump’s May 27 post on Truth Social, Canada can either pay $61 billion to remain an independent nation or pay nothing if it joins the U.S. as a state.

This offer is tied to Trump’s “Golden Dome System,” an advanced missile defense network that includes space-based sensors and interceptors. Trump says Canada is interested in joining the defense program but not at the high cost of staying independent.

Canada’s leaders, including new Prime Minister Mark Carney, have firmly rejected the idea of statehood, insisting Canada is “never for sale.” While Trump claims Canada is “considering the offer,” there’s no official response from Ottawa, and many view the proposal as political theater.

Despite this, Trump is using national security and economic incentives to push one of the most ambitious geopolitical ideas in recent history. Whether Canadians see it as an opportunity or a threat remains to be seen, but Trump’s proposal is sure to attract attention.