Trump doubles down on ‘Statehood!’ claim as Venezuela defeats the US to win World Baseball Classic
President Trump has doubled down on his calls for Venezuela to join the United States, following the country’s victory at the World Baseball Classic.
The Venezuelan team swept to victory over the U.S. with a score of 3-2, in front of a sold-out crowd at Miami’s LoanDepot Park.
Shortly after the South American team triumphed, Trump took to Truth Social.
“Statehood!!! President DJT” he declared.
His new proclamation came after he initially called for Venezuela to join the United States on Monday.
“Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC (Baseball!) Semifinal,” he wrote on Truth Social. “They are looking really great. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately!
“I wonder what this magic is all about?” he continued. “STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE? President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Ahead of Tuesday’s high-stakes final, Venezuelan players avoided discussing the intense political tensions between their country’s government and the United States.
“We’re here to speak baseball,” Ronald Acuña Jr., a Venezuelan player, told reporters. “Our country deserves the game tomorrow.”
In January, Trump launched a military operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and former First Lady Cilia Flores. Their arrests followed weeks of airstrikes on boats allegedly bringing drugs to the United States from Venezuela.
Following Venezuela’s huge win at the WBC, Delcy Rodríguez, the country’s acting president, took to X to celebrate the team’s glorious night.
“Venezuela triumphs united!” she wrote. “For the first time, we are champions of the World Baseball Classic.
“This triumph is the victory of the passion, talent, and unity that define us as Venezuelans,” Rodríguez continued. “An achievement that will remain forever in the heart of our country. ¡VIVA VENEZUELA!”
In another X post, Rodríguez declared that March 18 would be a National Day of Jubilation or a “non-working day.”
