Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany has ignited controversy after suggesting significant interest among Canadians in a proposal to make Canada the 51st U.S. state. Her remarks, aired on "The Ingraham Angle," came as Donald Trump has renewed discussions about the idea.
McEnany stated that the concept of Canada becoming the 51st state was gaining "serious traction," particularly among Canadian citizens. She referenced former "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O’Leary’s advocacy for such a union as evidence of growing support for the idea.
O'Leary has expressed intentions to visit Trump in Florida to further discuss the prospect. He claims that “unofficial polling” suggests more than 70% of Canadians would favor an economic merger that maintains Canadian sovereignty.
However, these claims contrast sharply with a recent poll conducted by the Canadian market research firm Leger. Their data indicated that only 13% of Canadians support becoming a U.S. state, while 82% oppose it.
Trump's renewed interest in the idea follows recent discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding potential tariffs on Canadian goods. Social media users have heavily criticized McEnany's statements, labeling them as misleading and unrealistic.
