WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced that no US officials will attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, citing alleged human rights abuses against Afrikaners in the country. The move reverses his earlier plan for Vice President JD Vance to attend the summit later this month.
Trump, speaking on his Truth Social platform, claimed that Afrikaners — descendants of European settlers — “are being killed and slaughtered” and that their farms are being illegally confiscated. He described the summit as a “total disgrace” and said he looked forward to hosting the 2026 G20 meeting at his Miami golf resort.
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South Africa’s foreign ministry rejected Trump’s claims as “regrettable” and unsubstantiated, emphasizing that the Afrikaner community does not face persecution. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to hosting a successful summit under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” and highlighted South Africa’s experience in overcoming racial and ethnic divisions.
Trump has repeatedly singled out South Africa since returning to the White House, including an Oval Office meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa, where he played a video alleging a campaign against white farmers — a claim denied by Pretoria. The Trump administration also recently announced plans to drastically reduce the annual US refugee intake to 7,500, giving priority to white South Africans.
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Observers see Trump’s move as politically motivated, reigniting his controversial rhetoric on race issues abroad while challenging longstanding US diplomatic norms. The decision raises questions about US engagement with international forums during his administration.