Donald Trump has once again made global headlines with a bold proposal directed at Canada. The Republican frontrunner suggested that Canada could join the United States as its 51st state under his new “Golden Dome System” defense plan.

On May 27, Trump posted on Truth Social that Canada would face a $61 billion cost if it remained independent while participating in the program. However, he claimed it would be “zero dollars” if Canada accepted statehood and joined the U.S. fully.

The “Golden Dome System” is Trump’s proposed missile defense project, modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome, but expanded to include space-based sensors and interceptors. He pledged it would be operational before the end of his presidency, covering land, sea, and space.

Trump insisted Canada had shown interest in the system, though not at the expense of its sovereignty. By offering statehood, he positioned integration as the cheaper alternative. Earlier this year, Canada’s former defense minister Bill Blair admitted participation in such a system “made sense” for national security interests.

Still, Canada’s political leaders have firmly rejected the idea of becoming a U.S. state. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau once said it would “never happen,” and current Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeated that “Canada will never be for sale.”

Despite this, Trump continues to pressure Canada, suggesting they are “considering the offer.” So far, however, there has been no official confirmation from Ottawa.

Analysts dismiss the plan as political theater, but with Trump, such theater often comes with real geopolitical consequences.