Fourth Texas visit in two months to back Republican candidate

Trump calls Democratic rival a 'communist'

Oil tanker carrying 1 million barrels of Venezuelan crude put on display

Trump doubles down on $5,000 dividend pledge if Republicans win

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Oct. 20 (local time). [EPA]
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Oct. 20 (local time). [EPA]

President Donald Trump called for making Venezuela the 51st state of the United States during his fourth visit to Texas in two months, using the occasion to tout his administration's success in securing Venezuelan crude oil.

Speaking Tuesday at a campaign rally in the port city of Corpus Christi, Texas, in support of Republican candidates, Trump said Venezuela "is going to be a prosperous country" and suggested it could soon join the union. "Maybe in the not-too-distant future it'll be a prosperous 51st state of the United States," he said. "It's possible."

He then pressed the idea further. "Let's make Venezuela the 51st state," Trump said, adding that such a move would mean holding elections for a governor rather than a president.

Trump had an oil tanker carrying 1 million barrels of Venezuelan crude docked at a nearby port as a backdrop for the rally, using it to highlight what he called a historic energy achievement. "There's a little boat over there," he said. "That boat has 1 million barrels of crude oil from Venezuela on it. We are celebrating the greatest oil-related victory in history. To the victor go the spoils."

Earlier this year, the United States ousted former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro through a military operation and in August signed an agreement securing access to one-fifth of Venezuela's oil reserves. The 1 million barrels brought in Tuesday represent the first shipment under that deal, which Trump described as a "gift" from Venezuela.

Trump traveled to Texas to back Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, attacking his Democratic rival James Talarico — who has emerged as a surprise contender in the race — as a "communist" who supports transgender rights and opposes oil drilling, the backbone of the Texas economy.

Tuesday's rally marked Trump's third campaign appearance for Paxton, following stops in Denton on Oct. 1 and San Antonio on Oct. 7. He also hosted a Republican convention in Dallas in September that served as a midterm election kickoff.

Trump's repeated visits to traditionally Republican Texas reflect the state's emergence as one of the most competitive battlegrounds in the midterm elections. Paxton has struggled against Talarico amid personal scandals and misconduct allegations.

Trump had pushed out incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn to install Paxton, a favorite of his MAGA (Make America Great Again) base, as the party's candidate. A Democratic victory in the Texas Senate race would deal a significant political blow to Trump as well.

Trump also doubled down on his campaign pledge to give every American $5,000 if Republicans win the midterms. "If we win, if the Republicans win, if we win the House and the Senate, you're going to get $5,000," he said.

The so-called "Trump dividend" was first announced at the Republican convention and drew criticism at the time as vote-buying — a promise of cash payments to voters.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is frequently mentioned alongside Vice President JD Vance as a potential future Republican presidential contender, joined Trump at the rally. Called to the stage briefly, Rubio said it was "an honor to work for the greatest president in the history of the United States."


sjy@heraldcorp.com