Eric Trump stirred up a flurry of reactions on social media this week with a playful post that jokingly suggested the United States could “buy” territories like the Panama Canal, Greenland, and even Canada through Amazon. The tweet, which was posted on X (formerly Twitter) late Monday, sparked a debate, receiving over 7,000 responses. Some critics found the post “disrespectful” and “disturbing,” while others applauded it, echoing his message with enthusiasm, saying, “We are so back!!!”
This humorous post came on the heels of more serious remarks from President-elect Donald Trump about reclaiming the Panama Canal, buying Greenland, and even turning Canada into the 51st U.S. state. While these ideas were dismissed by some as impractical, they captured the imagination of many who support a more assertive and bold approach to U.S. foreign policy. Eric Trump’s post, showing a mock-up of the Panama Canal, Greenland, and Canada in an Amazon shopping cart, along with a smiling image of his father browsing the app, served as a tongue-in-cheek endorsement of this return to American strength.
While the post garnered both praise and criticism, it underscores a larger point about the Trump family’s stance on U.S. global leadership. For many Republicans, President Trump’s blunt, no-nonsense style is a welcome change from the politically correct approach of previous administrations. The comments regarding Greenland and the Panama Canal reflect a desire to assert U.S. dominance and reclaim control over territories that were once strategically important to American interests.
However, not everyone saw the humor in the post. Critics, including some from within the political establishment, argued that the tone was unnecessarily aggressive toward other nations. Yet for many in the Republican base, the Trump family’s boldness represents a return to the days when America was feared and respected around the world. The notion of expanding U.S. territory is anathema to some, but for others, it speaks to the vision of an America first, unafraid to take charge and shape the global order to its advantage.
While the likelihood of these proposals coming to fruition remains slim, they reflect a broader push for the U.S. to reassert its global influence and challenge international norms. After all, for Trump supporters, bold ideas are often seen as the path to real change—no matter how unconventional they may seem.