Morning Note

Donald Trump sat down for a pre-Super Bowl interview over the weekend before becoming the first incumbent president to attend the NFL’s championship. 

The president used the conversation to push his vision of making Canada the 51st state, telling Bret Baier, “I think Canada would be much better off being the 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada. And I’m not going to let that happen. Why are we paying $200 billion a year, essentially a subsidy to Canada?”

He also told reporters aboard Air Force One that Canada is “not viable as a country” without U.S. trade, and lamented America’s northern neighbor for neglecting defense spending under the belief that the U.S. will always pick up the tab. –

The Super Bowl interview provides presidents with a free and unique opportunity to get their message to millions of Americans. Joe Biden opting out of it last year was one of the first signs that his reelection bid was doomed.

Watch the interview here.

Image From Flickr