Former President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he would cut off funding to South Africa until the country investigates the treatment of certain groups of people, which he claimed were being treated “very badly.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that South Africa was “confiscating land” and mistreating certain people, although he did not provide any specific evidence or details.
Trump’s comments came with a promise to stop all future U.S. funding to South Africa until a thorough investigation is conducted. The exact reasons behind his statement remain unclear, and it is uncertain what led to his decision. Last month, ahead of his inauguration, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that he wasn’t concerned about the country’s relationship with the U.S. under Trump’s leadership. Ramaphosa mentioned that he had spoken with Trump after the U.S. election and looked forward to working with the new administration.
During his first term, Trump raised concerns about South Africa, particularly over claims of large-scale killings of white farmers and land takeovers. These claims were not supported by evidence, and leaders in South Africa denied them, saying Trump had been misinformed. It is unclear if an investigation was ever carried out following those comments or if Trump’s latest statement is related to previous concerns.
Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa during the apartheid era, also made headlines last year for commenting on a controversial anti-apartheid song, “Kill the Boer.” The song has been a point of contention in South Africa, with some believing it promotes violence against white farmers. While the song was initially classified as hate speech by a South African court in 2010, the ruling was overturned in 2022.
In 2023, the U.S. provided nearly $440 million in assistance to South Africa, according to government records. Trump’s comments on cutting off funding come amid ongoing tensions related to race and land issues in South Africa, which continue to stir debate.
