From Trump Wanting Canada to Become the 51st State, Gaza, & The Gulf of America, Here are the Latest Developments from President Trump and his Administration
During a Super Bowl pregame interview, former President Donald Trump reignited controversy by suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state. Speaking with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Trump asserted, “I think Canada would be much better off being the 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada.”
While Trump’s claim of financial losses was exaggerated—the U.S. does not subsidize Canada—the trade deficit between the two nations stood at $72 billion in 2023, largely due to America’s imports of Canadian energy. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has strongly opposed the idea, warning that it is not a matter to be taken lightly. The proposal has been met with widespread disapproval in Canada.
Trump’s Gaza Vision: U.S. ‘Ownership’ and Palestinian Displacement
In a separate interview set to air Monday, Trump suggested that Palestinians in Gaza would not have a right to return under his plan for U.S. “ownership” of the war-torn region. His comments contradicted other officials who have framed his proposal as a temporary relocation plan rather than a permanent displacement of Palestinians.
Trump’s plan remains vague, with his only clarification being: “We’ll build safe communities, a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is.” Additionally, he has pressured Arab nations like Jordan and Egypt to accept Palestinian refugees, further complicating an already volatile situation.
Other Major Announcements from Trump
- Tariffs: Trump plans to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, including those from Canada and Mexico, with further import duties to be announced.
- Pennies: He has directed the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies, citing rising production costs. However, Congress controls currency policy, making unilateral action unlikely.
- USAID Cuts: Security staff have blocked USAID employees from entering headquarters after a Trump administration order sought to reduce the agency’s workforce, despite a temporary court ruling against the move.
- Plastic Straws: Trump signed an executive order banning paper straws, claiming it was a “No. 1 trending” issue and rolling back a Biden-era initiative to phase out single-use plastics.
- Foreign Bribery Law: Trump loosened the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which was designed to prevent U.S. officials from bribing foreign counterparts, calling it a “disaster” for American business interests abroad.
Gulf of America: Trump’s Latest Rebranding Move
Trump also made headlines by officially renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” Under Executive Order 14172, the U.S. Continental Shelf extending from Texas to Florida will now be recognized by this new name.
In a White House statement, Trump justified the move by stating that the Gulf “has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation.” To mark the occasion, February 9 has been designated as Gulf of America Day. The former president landed in New Orleans on Sunday to commemorate his first visit to the newly renamed body of water.
A Presidency Defined by Rebranding
From proposing to annex Canada to renaming geographic landmarks, Trump continues to push boundaries with bold and often polarizing initiatives. While some of his supporters embrace these moves as expressions of American nationalism, critics argue they are distractions from more pressing policy issues. Whether any of these proposals gain traction remains to be seen, but they ensure Trump remains at the center of political discourse.
