Trump Suggests Venezuela as 51st State After WBC Win

President Donald Trump suggested on social media that Venezuela could become the 51st state of the United States shortly after the country's national baseball team advanced to the World Baseball Classic final with a 4-2 victory over Italy on Monday night in Miami.

The semifinal game at loanDepot Park saw Venezuela rally from a 2-1 deficit in the seventh inning to secure the win, setting up a highly anticipated matchup against Team USA on Tuesday. Venezuela's success in the tournament has drawn widespread attention, marking the first time the team has reached the final. Players such as Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves and Wilyer Abreu contributed standout performances, with Acuña telling reporters after the game, "I just want to make my people proud and that's what I did today."

Trump, a vocal baseball enthusiast who has attended major sporting events including the Super Bowl and the U.S. Open tennis final during his second term, posted on Truth Social minutes after the game ended. "Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC Baseball! Semifinal. They are looking really great. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about?...