Shatner Spars with Watters Over Trump’s Canada Proposal, Mars Colonization
Veteran actor William Shatner, known for his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, engaged in a lively debate with Jesse Watters on "Jesse Watters Primetime" regarding President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada become the 51st state of the United States. Shatner, a proud Canadian, offered a witty counter-proposal while simultaneously questioning the seriousness and appropriateness of Trump’s overture.
The exchange stemmed from a recent meeting between then Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump in the Oval Office, during which Carney firmly stated that Canada was "never for sale." Trump responded with a playful "Never say never," adding, "I’ve dealt a little in real estate, and I’m going to say to Carney, do a real estate deal."
Shatner, seizing the opportunity for some lighthearted political commentary, suggested a playful counter-offer. "Make a counter-offer," Shatner quipped. "Let’s offer — Canada, offer to the United States to be the 11th province."
However, Shatner also expressed a degree of exasperation with the perceived overreaction to Trump’s proposal. "I mean, everybody’s so serious about what is an un-serious offer," he stated. "Canada’s been around for 150 years more, and they’ve had a noble service. You can’t denigrate that, you can’t deny that."
Watters, however, challenged Shatner’s assertion that Trump’s proposition was in any way denigrating to Canada’s history and its contributions, particularly its soldiers’ fight for freedom. He argued that persistence can sometimes pay off, citing the example of President Joe Biden’s repeated marriage proposals to his wife.
Shatner countered, "I know, but at a certain point, persistence becomes insulting," before dismissing the debate over Canada becoming the 51st state as a "spurious fight."
The conversation then shifted to another topic of exploration and potential colonization: Mars. Watters inquired about Shatner’s thoughts on SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s vision of colonizing Mars as a "life insurance" policy for humanity.
Shatner responded to the question with characteristic thoughtfulness, describing it as "fraught with many implications, like discovery." He pondered, "What is this thing that mankind has to search and search and search and never be content? Like making one offer after another to Canada."
He indicated he planned to delve deeper into this existential question with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson during their upcoming "Rocking" concert in Seattle.
Beyond the political and philosophical discussions, Shatner also took the opportunity to promote his annual Hollywood Charity Horse Show, an event that raises significant funds for children and veterans. "I’ve raised millions of dollars for children and for veterans, and on May 31, we’re having our party," he announced.
Shatner’s fascination with space and exploration is well-documented. Since his iconic role as Captain Kirk, the actor has remained deeply connected to the world of science and discovery. In 2021, he became the oldest person to travel to space at the time, flying on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin New Shepard rocket. Interestingly, Shatner described the experience as feeling "like a funeral," a poignant and somewhat unexpected reaction to the momentous occasion.
Currently, Shatner continues to host and oversee his series, "The UnXplained," an investigative documentary on the History Channel that delves into the world’s most perplexing and intriguing phenomena. The series reflects Shatner’s ongoing curiosity and his commitment to exploring the unexplained aspects of our universe.
The exchange between Shatner and Watters highlighted the actor’s ability to blend humor, philosophical insight, and social commentary. Whether discussing the potential future of Canada, the colonization of Mars, or his philanthropic endeavors, Shatner remains a captivating and engaging figure, demonstrating that his exploration of the universe extends far beyond the boundaries of the Star Trek franchise. His willingness to engage in lively debate and to question the status quo underscores his enduring relevance as a cultural icon. His dedication to charitable causes further solidifies his position as not just an actor, but a humanitarian.
