How to respond to Americans asking if I look forward to being the 51st state?

So I had to travel to America for work.

A few people “joked” if I was looking forward to becoming the 51st state.

I was a little shocked. I’ve never asked Americans if they like their legacy of slavery and decades of drug running coke into their own country. It’s an odd way to start a conversation with a stranger.

What’s the best way to respond to this when travelling in America if I need to travel there?