In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has expressed his support for the United States joining the British Commonwealth. This announcement comes almost 250 years after the U.S. declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1776. Trump raised eyebrows with a post on his Truth Social platform, sharing a link to an article from The Sun that suggested King Charles of the U.K. would make a “secret offer” during Trump’s upcoming state visit to the country.
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According to reports, King Charles is said to be considering offering the U.S. the status of an “associate member” of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association currently comprising 56 nations, many of which were formerly under British rule. The move is believed to symbolize the close relationship between Britain and the U.S., with a source mentioning that Trump has a deep admiration for Britain and the royal family. The potential addition of the U.S. to the Commonwealth could also ease tensions between Trump and Canada, another member of the association.
While Buckingham Palace has remained silent on the matter, both the palace and the White House have been approached for comments on this development. It’s important to note that membership in the Commonwealth of Nations is typically determined by the Commonwealth Secretariat, rather than an individual monarch like King Charles. The eligibility criteria and process for joining the Commonwealth are outlined on their official website.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended the invitation for Trump’s second state visit during his visit to the White House in February, which the former president promptly accepted. The visit is expected to further strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K., with both leaders expressing optimism about the historic occasion. Specific dates for the state visit are yet to be announced, but the event is anticipated to be a significant moment in diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Interestingly, Trump’s supportive stance towards King Charles stands in contrast to reports about the late Queen Elizabeth’s views on the former president. In a 2024 documentary and a subsequent biography, it was suggested that Queen Elizabeth found Trump to be “very rude” and was not particularly fond of his behavior during their interactions. Despite this, Trump seems to have developed a positive rapport with King Charles, as indicated by his recent statements.
As discussions around the potential U.S. membership in the British Commonwealth continue, it remains to be seen how this development will impact international relations and diplomatic partnerships. The symbolic gesture of the U.S. becoming an associate member of the Commonwealth could signal a new chapter in transatlantic relations, with implications reaching far beyond just political alliances. It will be intriguing to observe how this story unfolds and the reactions it elicits from various stakeholders on the global stage.