President Donald Trump on Monday said that he was "seriously considering" making Venezuela the 51st state, citing the abundance of natural resources and reasserting his claim that the Venezuelan people love him.

Trump made the remarks to Fox News's John Roberts in a phone call that saw him add, "Venezuela loves Trump."

The president has previously quipped that he may retire by seeking the Venezuelan presidency once his term in the White House ends. He has pointed to his extraction of now-former President Nicolas Maduro as bolstering his popularity in the country.

"Our relationship with Venezuela has been amazing. The people, actually, I'm the highest polling person. In other words, after the presidency, I think I may go to Venezuela... I may run against Delcy. It's an option," he said in March.

Also in March, Trump quipped about Venezuelan statehood after the national team won a baseball game.

"Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC (Baseball!) Semifinal," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "They are looking really great. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! 

"I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?" he added.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.