Kevin O’Leary, a prominent Canadian businessman and star of Shark Tank, has thrown his support behind President-elect Donald Trump’s bold idea of turning Canada into the 51st state of the United States.
During an appearance on America's Newsroom, O’Leary called the concept a "huge opportunity" with "massive potential" to create something extraordinary on the global stage.
"I think this is a great idea," O’Leary said. "The potential is massive, and the opportunity is huge. At the end of the day, Canadians and Americans share the same DNA in terms of their beliefs in freedom and opportunity."
The idea was originally floated by Trump during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump reportedly teased the suggestion after threatening sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods.
Earlier this week, Trump mocked Trudeau on Truth Social by referring to him as "governor" and reiterated his idea of making Canada the 51st state.
"If Canada was to become our 51st state, their taxes would be cut by more than 60%, their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other country anywhere in the world," Trump wrote.
O’Leary believes the idea resonates with many Canadians, claiming that "more than half" of the population wants to learn more about Trump’s vision. "There are 41 million Canadians who want to know more and understand what the proposal really is," O’Leary said.
"The concept of an economic union between the U.S. and Canada has been discussed for decades, and it makes sense because the resources Canada has, the U.S. needs — particularly power and water."
O’Leary also pointed to global challenges, particularly the rise of China, as a driving factor that could push the U.S. and Canada closer together. He argued that forming a closer union between the two nations could provide a strategic advantage against growing international threats.
"The Pentagon has been worried for decades about the northern border where China and the former USSR have shown interest," O’Leary explained. "We had NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense) decades ago, but back then, China wasn’t the global power it is now. Today, it’s a serious problem."
O’Leary suggested that a U.S.-Canada union could create an unparalleled global powerhouse. "If you figured out a way to put these two countries together, it would result in the most powerful country on Earth," he said. "It would have the strongest military, the richest resources, and no adversary would dare to challenge it. That’s the prize."
While Trump’s idea might initially sound like a jest, O’Leary believes there’s genuine merit to the proposal. He emphasized that such a union would benefit both nations economically and strategically, particularly in addressing shared concerns like resource management and national security.
"This kernel of an idea, even if it started as a joke, has something truly great within it," O’Leary concluded. "The U.S. and Canada, united, would be unstoppable."
O’Leary’s endorsement of Trump’s proposal highlights an intriguing — and controversial — vision for the future of North America. Whether this idea gains traction or remains an ambitious suggestion, it has sparked a lively debate about the potential benefits of closer ties between the two neighboring nations.