Trump Provokes Again: Suggests "How About Becoming the 51st U.S. State?" to WBC Champion Venezuela

Venezuela Claims First-Ever WBC Title with 3-2 Win Over U.S.

Trump Posts on Social Media Immediately After Final

Renews Call for Venezuela’s U.S. Statehood After Semifinal Comments

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again made remarks suggesting that Venezuela, which defeated the United States in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final to claim the championship, should be incorporated as an American state.

President Trump’s social media post after Venezuela’s WBC victory. Photo by Yonhap News

On March 17 (Korean time), President Trump posted a brief message on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying, "STATEHOOD!!! President DJT." This post came immediately after Venezuela clinched its WBC victory over the United States in the final held in Miami, Florida.

Previously, he had shared a similar message after the semifinal match. At that time, President Trump commented, "Good things are happening in Venezuela these days," and continued the joking provocation by adding, "What could be the secret behind this magical phenomenon? How about becoming the 51st state (of the U.S.)?"

This final drew particular attention for its political context, going beyond a mere sporting event. In January, the United States ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro through a military operation, so the matchup between the two countries was even dubbed the "Maduro Derby."

The game ended in a 3-2 victory for Venezuela, marking their first-ever WBC championship. In contrast, despite the United States fielding a roster packed with Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star-level players, they not only lost to Italy in the group stage but also suffered defeat at home in the final, damaging their reputation.

Throughout the tournament, the Venezuelan national team refrained from making political statements and announced their intent to focus solely on the games. Omar Lopez, the team’s manager, stated before the final, "Baseball is a powerful tool that unites a nation," adding, "It can help us build a better future that transcends ideologies."

After the victory, citizens in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, as well as other major cities, poured into the streets to celebrate, creating a festive atmosphere. The Venezuelan government declared a national holiday to commemorate the country’s historic first championship.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.