Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's surprise resignation announcement, former President Donald Trump revived his proposal for Canada to join the United States as the 51st state. Trump linked Trudeau's departure to his previous discussions about trade imbalances and the potential benefits of a merger, suggesting on Truth Social that Trudeau "knew this, and resigned." Trump envisions a combined nation with reduced taxes, elimination of tariffs, and enhanced security against perceived threats from Russia and China. He highlighted these points in a Truth Social post, stating, "Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!" This proposal was reportedly raised by Trump during a meeting with Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago in late November, according to sources who spoke to Fox News in December.

The November meeting, prompted by Trump's tariff threats, addressed concerns about illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and trade deficits. Trump's post at the time emphasized the need for collaborative efforts on these issues. Trudeau's resignation address on Monday morning indicated his intention to step down after the Liberal Party selects a new leader through a formal process. He expressed his belief that engaging in internal political battles would hinder his ability to effectively lead the party in the upcoming election. Trudeau's declining approval ratings, attributed to economic challenges such as inflation and the cost of living, have been a factor in the calls for his resignation. Several Liberal MPs and opposition leaders had urged him to step down, particularly after the departure of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, whose resignation letter criticized Trudeau's economic strategies and his response to Trump's pronouncements.