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Just moments after Venezuela beat the United States in the final of the World Baseball Classic, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to send a simple one-word message that divided American fans.
“INDEPENDENCE!!!” » Trump wrote, adding only his initials.
That message came a day after Venezuela beat Italy in the WBC semifinals, when Trump sent an early message teasing the South American country’s statehood should it win the championship.
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Team Venezuela celebrates after defeating Italy in a World Baseball Classic semifinal game in Miami, Florida, March 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
“Wow! Venezuela beat Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC (Baseball!) semifinals. They look really good. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what all the magic is for? STATE, #51, ANYONE?” Trump wrote Monday evening.
Trump appeared to double down on that suggestion with his one-word message Tuesday night after Venezuela’s victory.
Some supporters encouraged Trump’s bold suggestion.
But some followers weren’t as encouraging.
“It’s a terrible idea that would cost trillions. We can’t afford the $50 billion we have now!” a user X wrote in response.
Another user wrote, “It was just a baseball game. We don’t need to make it a state just so we can say we won the World Baseball Classic!”
TRUMP ALL HAS ‘HUGE’ AMOUNT OF VENEZUELAN OIL, WANTS TO ‘TAKE CARE’ OF CUBA AFTER FOCUS ON IRAN
The new year began with the United States conducting a military operation in Venezuela, which led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Both men were brought back to the United States as they faced federal weapons and narcoterrorism charges, among other crimes.
Since then, relations between the United States and Venezuela have thawed. A The American flag was recently raised on the US Embassy building in Caracas for the first time in seven years.
But Venezuela may have angered American baseball fans with its 3-2 victory on Tuesday. It was Venezuela’s first ever WBC title.
JAPAN SUFFER SHOCKING COLLAPSE AGAINST VENEZUELA IN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
“My country needs this championship,” star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. said, wiping away tears. “I just want to make my people proud. That’s what I did today.”
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared Wednesday the National Day of Joy and made it a public holiday except for essential workers.
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Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team United States in the ninth inning at LoanDepot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“They were with us in our hearts,” Venezuelan captain Salvador Perez said of his compatriots. “The World Series, as you all know, is one of the most important championships in the major leagues, but when you fight for your country, it goes beyond that. That feeling, the country where you were born and raised, the sacrifices made by our parents, those people who helped us, that’s why it means a lot to me and to Venezuela.”
At several points during the tournament, Venezuelan players described the team as a family, and brothers Willson and William Contreras took the podium together to receive their medals and sing the Venezuelan anthem “Gloria al Bravo Pueblo (Glory to the Brave People). »
