WASHINGTON – Former White House aide Scott Jennings recounts a revealing conversation with then-President Donald Trump in November 2025, detailing a wide-ranging discussion that touched on potential U.S. acquisitions of Greenland and even Canada, as excerpted in Jennings’ new book, A Revolution of Common Sense.
Jennings describes a meeting where he advised Trump on treaty obligations and countering Chinese influence. The conversation then took an unexpected turn, with Trump inquiring about Greenland and the possibility of adding canada as the 51st state. Jennings noted he cautioned against the latter, citing potential Democratic Senate seats.
“‘They are violating their treaty obligations, sir. Well within your rights to push back on Chinese influence,’ I said,” Jennings writes. “‘Greenland?’ ‘Don’t forget about this one. Strategically located, rare earth minerals, and I think an inspired idea.’ ‘Canada, fifty-first state?’ ‘Intriguing, but I am worried about two additional Democratic senators stalling out your agenda.'”
Trump, according to Jennings, expressed optimism about conservative gains and noted Canadian dissatisfaction.This led to Trump’s subsequent commentary on Canadian politics, influencing the April 28 election where Liberal leader Mark Carney defeated Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, despite the Conservatives achieving their best results since 2011.
Jennings realized the discussion was simultaneously addressing foreign policy and trade issues, all framed around prioritizing American interests. “But both meetings were really about the same thing-what is in the best interest of the United States of America? What choices can we make that put America first?” he writes.
The excerpt is from A Revolution of Common sense by Scott Jennings, published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, and reprinted with permission.
