The plan was revealed by John Roberts of Fox News who said he had a phone conversation with Trump on May 11, 2026.
John Roberts stated that Trump told him he wants Venezuela to become part of the United States while continuing to benefit from the South American country’s vast oil reserves.
“I just got off the phone with President Donald Trump. He told me he is seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st state,” Roberts said.
Trump reportedly said one reason he supports the idea is because Venezuela possesses oil reserves estimated at $40 trillion and that he believes he is popular among Venezuelans.
“Venezuela loves Trump,” he reportedly said.
In January 2026, after Maduro was arrested, Trump announced that the United States would help govern Venezuela together with Delcy Rodríguez, who was later recognized as the country’s interim president.
Since the United States resumed involvement in Venezuela’s oil trade, the country has reportedly exported around one million barrels of oil per day since April, levels not seen since 2018.
For Venezuela to officially become a U.S. state, the move would require approval from the U.S. Congress as well as consent from Venezuela’s government — something Delcy Rodríguez has said will never happen.
