We recently came across some posts on X claiming that Panama has banned U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump and his family from entering the country, for 100 years.

We decided to take a closer look at the claim, especially considering recent media reports on Trump suggesting that he would use military force to take control of the Panama Canal – a statement that could have significant diplomatic consequences.

The significance of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, serving as a crucial maritime shortcut between these two bodies of water.

Following its independence in 1903, Panama entered into an agreement with the U.S. to construct and manage the canal. On 31 December 1999, Panama assumed full operation, administration and maintenance of the canal, marking a significant milestone in its sovereignty.

Internationally, the Panama Canal is a vital artery for global trade. It bridges European cities with ports along the Western coast of the Americas and facilitates the movement of approximately USD 270 billion worth of cargo annually.

In addition to being the largest user of the Panama Canal for trade, the U.S. also benefits significantly from the canal’s military value. The canal allows the US Navy to navigate and exert significant maritime control in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by maintaining a naval fleet in each ocean. This “two-ocean navy strategy” allowed the US to play a major role in World War 2 and solidify its position as a global power.

The construction of the Panama Canal has been described by some as a “geopolitical strategy to make the U.S. the most powerful nation on earth.” Its strategic importance was so pronounced that defending the canal was once described as the “most important military problem” due to its role in securing maritime dominance and global influence.

Renewed focus on the Panama Canal

On 22 December 2024, Trump delivered a speech in Phoenix, Arizona at an event organised by Turning Point USA, a group of conservative activists, to celebrate his victory in the 2024 Presidential Elections. During his speech, Trump alleged that U.S. ships were being overcharged in the tolls they were required to pay to pass through the Panama Canal and stated that the canal should be “returned” to the U.S.

Subsequently, on 7 January 2025, Trump further escalated his rhetoric, declaring that the canal was critical to U.S. national security interests, and claiming that it was being operated by China. When questioned by the media, Trump stated that he would not rule out military action to regain control of the canal. Trump made these comments at a news conference which was originally called to unveil a USD 20 billion investment to build data centres in the U.S. During the same event, Trump also hinted at the possibility of military action to assert control over Greenland, a Danish territory.

The speculation of China’s influence over the Panama Canal stems from the involvement of a Hong Kong-based company managing two ports along the waterway. During a congressional hearing in May 2024, concerns were raised about the management of these two ports by Hutchison Ports PPC, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings. Lawmakers speculated that the ports could potentially be leveraged by the Chinese government should there be a conflict between the two global superpowers.

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino has refuted claims of Chinese interference in the canal’s operations. He also emphasised that the canal belongs to Panama and that its sovereignty is non-negotiable.

Has Trump and his family been banned from Panama?

When we traced the origins of the claim about Trump and his family being banned from Panama, it led us to an X post by The Halfway Post. The post, which was first shared on 3 January 2025, has since garnered over 1.1m views.

The Halfway Post is a satirical account run by Dash Macintyre, who describes himself as a “comedian, satirist, and poet.” The account’s bio explicitly labels it as a source for “halfway true comedy and satire.” Macintyre also published a book of satire about Trump’s first presidency, titled “Satire In The Trump Years: The Best Of The Halfway Post” in 2021.

To date, there have been no official announcements from the Panamanian government indicating a ban on Trump or his family, despite any possible tensions caused by his statements about seeking control over the Panama Canal.

Given the satirical nature of the source and the absence of supporting evidence, we conclude that the claim is likely false and rate it as satire.