U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool is no longer welcome in the United States, escalating tensions between the Trump administration and South Africa.
Rubio’s statement came after Rasool accused President Donald Trump of promoting global white supremacy, a claim that sparked immediate backlash from the administration.
“A Race-Baiting Politician Who Hates America”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rubio declared Rasool persona non grata, stating:
“Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS. We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.”
The rare diplomatic move further deepens the deteriorating relationship between Washington and Pretoria, which has been strained in recent months—partly due to the influence of Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire and close Trump adviser.
Trump’s Executive Order Targets South Africa
Last month, Trump signed an executive order halting U.S. aid to South Africa, citing the country’s land expropriation law, which he claimed unfairly targets the white Afrikaner minority who still own the majority of land, 30 years after the end of apartheid.
Musk has been vocal in supporting Trump’s stance, claiming that South Africa’s policies discriminate against whites, and even stating that his Starlink satellite service is banned from operating in the country “because I’m not black.”
South Africa Accuses Trump of Global White Supremacy
In response, Rasool accused Trump and his allies, including Vice President JD Vance and Musk, of amplifying white supremacist narratives globally. He specifically cited their support for far-right European politicians like Nigel Farage and Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Former U.S. Ambassador Warns of Diplomatic Fallout
Former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard, who now leads the Center for American Progress, warned that the U.S.-South Africa relationship is now at its “lowest point.”
“There’s too much at stake to not work towards the repair of this partnership,” Gaspard said.
With Rasool officially expelled and U.S. aid to South Africa suspended, analysts fear that this diplomatic crisis could further isolate South Africa on the global stage while strengthening Musk’s influence within Trump’s inner circle.
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