US Deports South African Ambassador For Allegedly Hating America
The United States has expelled South African Ambassador to the country, Ebrahim Rasool, following accusations that he harbored anti-American sentiments by criticizing the administration of President Donald Trump.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Rasool was “no longer welcome in our great country,” labeling him a “race-baiting politician who hates America.” Rubio went on to declare that Rasool was considered “persona non grata,” meaning that the U.S. government had no interest in engaging with him.
The New York Times confirmed the expulsion, citing a spokesperson for the South African president. Rubio’s social media post also linked to an article from the far-right site Breitbart, which discussed remarks Rasool made during a speech at a research institute in Johannesburg. The comments, which touched on U.S. demographics shifting away from a white majority, were reportedly seen as a direct criticism of Trump’s political leadership.
Rasool had suggested that Trump was leading a “global white supremacist movement” and referred to the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement as a response to the demographic shifts in the U.S. He noted that the U.S. voting electorate is projected to become 48% white in the near future, and that the possibility of a majority minority electorate is “looming on the horizon.”
Additionally, Rasool referenced the growing influence of far-right political movements in Europe, particularly mentioning billionaire Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance’s recent alliances with such groups.
The expulsion comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and South Africa under Trump’s administration. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order halting aid to South Africa due to a new law aimed at addressing post-apartheid inequalities in Black land ownership. The order suggested that the legislation discriminated against white landowners, and Trump’s administration also moved to prioritize the resettlement of white South Africans in the U.S.
Rasool’s deportation is another indication of the strained diplomatic relationship between the two countries, as the Trump administration has repeatedly clashed with South Africa over various political and social issues.
