US expels South Africa’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool over explosive Trump claims

Washington, DC — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday that South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, has been declared persona non grata, expelling him from diplomatic engagement following accusations that President Donald Trump is leading a “global white supremacist movement.”

The decision intensifies already fraught US-South Africa relations, strained by disputes over land expropriation, Iran, and South Africa’s ties to Hamas.

Rasool’s explosive seminar comments

At a Johannesburg seminar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), Rasool claimed Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) agenda and policies—including border security crackdowns and skepticism of international institutions—were racially motivated responses to America’s demographic shifts.

He alleged Trump’s “supremacist assault” extended globally, citing Elon Musk’s involvement in UK politics and Vice President JD Vance’s reported engagement with Germany’s far-right AfD party as evidence of a coordinated effort to promote “white victimhood.”

Rasool argued that Trump’s policies, such as the US-Mexico border wall and mass deportations, were driven by data showing white voters will soon comprise just 48% of the US. electorate. He also linked South African Afrikaner activists lobbying in the US to a broader “global protective movement” for embattled white communities.

Diplomatic and economic repercussions

Rasool’s comments drew immediate backlash in Washington, where he has reportedly struggled to gain traction amid existing tensions over South Africa’s ties to Hamas and its stance on global conflicts. Critics, including conservative commentator Robby Starbuck, praised Rubio’s decision to expel the ambassador as a necessary rebuke of anti-white racism emanating from South Africa’s leadership.

The fallout also underscored economic complexities. During the seminar, Rasool admitted South Africa could not afford to alienate the US, given that 70% of South African exports to America are manufactured goods—critical for development and bolstered by the AGOA trade pact. This contrast sharply with 80% commodity exports to China, which lack the same value-added benefits.

Analysts warn this imbalance highlights Pretoria’s reliance on US. trade ties, amplifying risks that Rasool’s rhetoric could further strain bilateral relations.”

Broader implications

The expulsion marks a significant escalation in US-South Africa tensions, which have simmered over differing approaches to Iran, Israel (case in point being South Africa’s ICJ genocide case against Israel) and multilateral governance.

Rasool’s history of Hamas support and his portrayal of Trump’s policies as inherently racist have long irked US officials, with the latest remarks deemed incompatible with diplomatic decorum.

As South Africa grapples with domestic economic challenges and international isolation over its foreign policy choices, the persona non grata designation signals Washington’s dwindling patience.

This is a developing story. Regularly visits NOWinSA for timely updates on this and other Stories Shaping South Africa Today!