Trump Floats Venezuela as ‘51st State’, Sets Condition for Accepting Midterm Results

US President Donald Trump suggested that Venezuela could become America’s 51st state as he promoted growing oil cooperation between the two countries at a midterm election rally in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Tuesday.

His remarks came as campaigning intensified ahead of the November 3 congressional elections. Speaking separately to reporters, Trump made his acceptance of the outcome conditional on the elections being conducted honestly.

Oil Shipment Prompts Statehood Pitch

Addressing supporters in Texas, Trump announced the arrival of a shipment of 1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil under an agreement between Washington and Caracas. He described the oil as free and said it would be refined in Texas, including in Corpus Christi.

“I want to thank Venezuela, where our relationship has become very, very good, a great one,” he said.

Trump linked the energy agreement to what he described as improving economic prospects in Venezuela, saying investment was creating jobs in the South American country.

“We’re bringing out a lot of oil for ourselves, a lot. It will become a prosperous country, and who knows? Maybe someday soon it will become a prosperous 51st state. That’s possible,” he said.

He repeated the suggestion, proposing that Venezuela could elect a governor in place of a president.

“Let’s make it. Let’s make it the 51st state. And instead of a president, we’ll have an election for a governor. How about that? You know, they have a lot of oil.”

The remarks revived an idea Trump had floated earlier this year, when he said he was “seriously considering” Venezuelan statehood. He has previously made similar suggestions about Canada.

Conditional Acceptance of Election Results

Ahead of his Texas campaign appearances, Trump was asked whether he would respect the outcome of the upcoming midterms.

“I will — if they’re honest elections,” he told reporters.

He also referred to his veto power while discussing the prospect of an unfavourable congressional outcome.

“We’ll figure a way. I have a strong veto. I hope that won’t be the case, but if it is, that’s happened before,” he said.

Trump had earlier announced a $1 million reward for information about alleged voter fraud in past elections or the upcoming midterms, making payment conditional on the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Control of Congress at Stake

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and roughly one-third of Senate seats are being contested on November 3. The outcome will shape Trump’s ability to advance his legislative agenda during the remainder of his term.

A CBS News/YouGov survey cited by ANI projected Democrats winning 229 House seats, enough for a majority, while indicating that Republicans retained a narrow path to holding the chamber.

The survey of 2,355 US adults, conducted from October 21 to 23, found that inflation, rising prices and broader economic concerns remained central to voters’ decisions.

It also suggested that turnout could prove decisive. More Democratic voters said they were certain to vote or had already voted early, while less committed voters tended to lean Republican.

With inputs from ANI