Trudeau on hot mic: Trump wanting to make Canada 51st US state a 'real thing'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was reportedly caught on a hot mic discussing his private conversations with President Donald Trump, confirming that Trump's desire to make Canada the 51st state of the U.S. is a "real thing."

Trudeau was meeting with business leaders when the press was asked to exit the room but Trudeau's comments were still being recorded.

"Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing. In my conversations with him on...," Trudeau said as the microphone shut off, according to Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

Trudeau also described why he personally thinks Canada should become a U.S. state.

"I suggest that not only does the Trump administration know how many critical minerals we have, but that may be even why they keep talking about absorbing us and making us the 51st state," Trudeau said. "They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have, and they very much want to be able to benefit from those."