Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inLekan Oyekanmi, Jesse Bedayn & Steven SloanWednesday 28 October 2026 08:29 GMTPresident Donald Trump once again floated the idea of an independent nation joining the United States as a “51st state” during a rally in Texas (Reuters)President Donald Trump suggested at a Texas rally that Venezuela could eventually become a prosperous 51st state following U.S. operations in the country.Trump campaigned in Texas to support Republican Ken Paxton in a highly competitive Senate race against Democrat Talarico.Billionaire Elon Musk has poured at least $158 million into defeating Talarico, prompting the Democratic candidate to center his campaign on rejecting billionaire influence.The Texas trip forms part of a multi-state push by Trump during the final week before the midterm elections to defend key Republican strongholds.Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefly joined Trump on stage as the president highlighted oil-processing arrangements with Venezuela amid rising gas prices.In fullTrump says oil-rich Venezuela could soon become America's 51st state during Ken Paxton rally in TexasMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in