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Moments after Venezuela defeated the United States in the finals of the World Baseball Classic, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to send out a simple, one-word post that divided American fans.
“STATEHOOD!!!” Trump wrote, adding only his initials.
The post came a day after Venezuela beat Italy in the WBC semifinal, when Trump sent out an initial post teasing statehood for the South American country if it won the championship.
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The Venezuelan national team celebrates after defeating Italy in the semifinal of the World Baseball Classic in Miami, Florida, on March 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
“Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC semi-final (baseball!). They look really cool. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about. STATEMENT, #51, ANYONE?” Trump wrote Monday night.
Trump appeared to double down on that suggestion with his one-word post Tuesday night after Venezuela’s victory.
Some supporters encouraged Trump’s bold suggestion.
But some fans were not so encouraging.
“It’s a terrible idea that would cost billions. We can’t afford the 50 we have now!” one user X wrote in response.
Another user wrote: “It was just a baseball game. We don’t have to make them a state just so we can say we won the World Baseball Classic!”
TRUMP PROMOTES THAT US HAS ‘TREMENDOUS’ AMOUNT OF VENEZUELAN OIL, PROMISES TO ‘TAKE CARE’ OF CUBA AFTER FOCUS ON IRAN
The new year began with the United States carrying out a military operation in Venezuela, which led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The two were returned to the United States, as they faced federal charges for weapons possession and narcoterrorism, among other crimes.
Since then, relations between the United States and Venezuela have thawed. A The American flag was recently raised over the United States Embassy building in Caracas for the first time in seven years.
But Venezuela may have raised ire among American baseball fans with its 3-2 victory on Tuesday. It was Venezuela’s first WBC title.
JAPAN SUFFERS SHOCKING COLLAPSE AGAINST VENEZUELA IN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
“My country needs that championship,” star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. said, wiping tears from his eyes. “I just want to make my people proud. That’s what I did today.”
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared Wednesday National Day of Joy and made it a non-working holiday, except for essential workers.
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Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team USA during the ninth inning at CreditDepot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“They were with us here in our hearts,” Venezuela captain Salvador Pérez said of his compatriots. “The World Series, as everyone knows, is one of the most important championships in the Major Leagues, but when you fight for your country, that goes further. That feeling, the country where you were born and raised, the sacrifices our parents made, those people who helped us, that’s why this means a lot to me and to Venezuela.”
Repeatedly during the tournament, Venezuelan players described the team as a family, and brothers Willson and William Contreras stood on the podium together to receive their medals and sing the Venezuelan anthem, “Gloria al Bravo Pueblo.”
