Trump Wanted to Annex Canada, New Book Claims

U.S. President Donald Trump privately acknowledged that the annexation of Canada is not a feasible goal, according to an upcoming book by royal biographer Robert Hardman. The author describes conversations with the president in which Trump attributed his public threats of annexation to personal pique rather than a viable political objective.

The details appear in Hardman’s sixth book on the monarchy, titled Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story. The book, which is scheduled for release in Canada in May 2026, reveals that Trump viewed the prospect of acquiring Canadian territory as being beyond his reach.

Influence of the British Monarchy

According to Hardman, Trump’s respect for King Charles III and his admiration for the British monarchy played a role in tempering his interest in annexing Canadian territory. Specifically, the book suggests that Trump’s interest was primarily focused on Canadian land located just above the U.S.-Canada border.

During a conversation in Florida in December 2025, Hardman and the president discussed the acquisition of Greenland. Hardman noted that such a move would likely destroy NATO and urged the president to leave Canada alone as well.

It had been a staunch ally through history, a gallant D-Day partner and attempting to acquire it would undoubtedly make the King of Canada unhappy.

Robert Hardman

Hardman attributes Trump’s affinity for the monarchy in part to his family heritage. The president’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, was born in the village of Tong in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and grew up speaking Scottish Gaelic before immigrating to the United States. Hardman describes Trump as being half British and notes that his mother was a great fan of the late Queen herself.

Views on Canadian Sovereignty

In private discussions, Trump cited the long history of Canadian sovereignty and the nation’s ongoing ties to King Charles as reasons for Canada to maintain its independence. He told Hardman, I guess it’s not going to happen!

Despite these private admissions, the president continues to refer to the Prime Minister of Canada as governor in public settings. He also expressed frustration with Canadian political leadership, claiming that those politicians are nice to my face and then they say bad things behind my back.

Historical Context of Annexation Efforts

While the current claims center on the president’s personal comments, there is a long history of movements and attempts regarding the U.S. Annexation of Canada. Historical efforts include:

• Attempts by the Thirteen Colonies to have parts of Canada join them during their complaints against Great Britain prior to U.S. Independence.
• Unsuccessful military invasions during the Invasion of Quebec in 1775 and the War of 1812.
• Diplomatic efforts following the American Civil War and the confederation of Canada, though the 1871 Treaty of Washington contained no provisions for annexation.

Historian Joseph Levitt has noted that since the 1871 Treaty of Washington, the United States has not suggested or promoted an annexationist movement in Canada, and no serious force on the American political scene has aimed to coerce Canadians into joining the U.S.