Trump Jokingly Suggests Venezuela Could Become US 51st State

U.S. President Donald Trump made another visit on the 27th (local time) to Texas, which has emerged as a major battleground for the midterm elections.

It marks his fourth visit in the past two months.

Appearing at the campaign rally that day was a tanker carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil imported from Venezuela.

Back in January, the U.S. ousted former Venezuelan President Maduro through a military operation.

Then in August, the newly established interim government signed an agreement for the development and supply of oil fields accounting for about one-fifth of Venezuela's oil reserves.

The 1 million barrels of crude oil featured at the rally site is the first shipment to arrive under that agreement.

President Trump boasted of the achievement, stating that he received the oil as a gift from Venezuela.

He then claimed, "Maybe before too long, Venezuela will become the 51st state of the United States. It's possible. Let's make Venezuela the 51st state."

He also reiterated his "Trump dividend" pledge, promising to pay 5,000 dollars to voters if the Republican Party wins the midterms.

President Trump held two large-scale rallies in Texas alone that day, as Texas—traditionally a Republican stronghold—has emerged as a top competitive battleground.

In particular, candidate Paxton, whom President Trump personally endorsed, is struggling amid various scandals and allegations of misconduct.

Having pushed aside the incumbent senator to put forward his favored candidate, President Trump faces inevitable political fallout if his pick loses.

(Reported by Choi Jae-yeong | Video by Lee Da-in | Design by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.