Trump floats idea of Venezuela joining US as 51st state after WBC semifinal win

MIAMI, FLORIDA: President Donald Trump raised eyebrows Monday night, March 16, as he suggested Venezuela could become America’s 51st state, moments after the South American nation punched its ticket to the World Baseball Classic final.

Venezuela’s comeback 4-2 semifinal win over Italy set up a high-stakes showdown against Team USA in Miami.

Trump proposes Venezuela as 51st state

Trump jumped onto Truth Social minutes with a head-turning message.

"Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC (Baseball!) Semifinal," he wrote late Monday night. "They are looking really great. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE? President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Tuesday’s final comes just over two months after Trump’s daring January 3 raid that captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from their heavily-secured compound in Caracas.

Maduro is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, a facility that houses R Kelly and Luigi Mangione among its residents.

Trump has previously toyed with the idea of expanding the US map, notably floating Canada as a potential 51st state. However, this is the first time he has suggested Venezuela, especially in the aftermath of removing Maduro.

Trump’s sports streak and Miami’s big night

The president has made a habit of showing up at marquee events during his second term, becoming the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl in 2025. 

He’s also popped up at the men’s US Open tennis final and last September’s Ryder Cup in New York.

He even made a stop at Yankee Stadium on the anniversary of 9/11, meeting the New York Yankees before their game against the Detroit Tigers. That visit included a locker room encounter with Yankees star Aaron Judge, who is now leading Team USA into Tuesday night’s final.

The championship game is set for loanDepot Park in Miami. The city boasts the largest Venezuelan population in the United States, and this marks the first time Venezuela has ever reached the final. Some fans have even floated the idea of Trump throwing out the first pitch.

It's worth noting that the United States has only won the tournament once before, in 2017.

Venezuela is determined to win

In the immediate aftermath of the win over Italy, Venezuela’s players sent an emotional message to fans back home.

"I just want to make my people proud, and that's what I did today," Ronald Acuna Jr of the Atlanta Braves told ESPN. "USA have a really good team, we have a really good team too. Let's see what happens."

Maikel Garcia of the Kansas City Royals added, "We have to go out there and compete every single night. The fans will get mad if we lost (to Italy)."

Back in Caracas, the country’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, congratulated the team.

"Go Venezuela! Our National Team continues making history by defeating Italy and reaching the grand final of the World Baseball Classic. Thank you for filling the entire country with joy and pride," she said. "Tomorrow we'll see you in a sports showdown with the US. Go for it, guys!"