South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has been expelled from the United States after criticizing President Trump and the MAGA movement as having a “supremacist instinct,” deepening an already strained relationship between the two nations.
Key Takeaways
- South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was expelled and declared persona non grata by the Trump administration for comments critical of the MAGA movement.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled Rasool a “race-baiting politician,” citing a Breitbart article about his comments.
- Rasool received a hero’s welcome upon returning to South Africa, with supporters waving Palestinian flags.
- The expulsion occurs amid existing tensions over South Africa’s land expropriation policies and its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
- Both diplomatic and financial ties between the U.S. and South Africa are now in jeopardy following this rare diplomatic action.
Diplomatic Crisis Unfolds
The Trump administration has expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him “persona non grata” following comments he made during a webinar criticizing the Make America Great Again movement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on social media platform X, sharing a Breitbart article that detailed Rasool’s remarks characterizing the MAGA movement as a response to a “supremacist instinct” amid changing U.S. demographics. The expulsion represents a severe diplomatic action rarely employed against representatives from allied nations.
Rubio’s statement was unequivocal in its rejection of the ambassador. “South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. is no longer welcome in our great country,” Rubio declared. “Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates Trump. We have nothing to discuss with him,” Rubio went on to say. This harsh rebuke indicates a hardline stance from the Trump administration against what it perceives as inflammatory rhetoric from foreign diplomats.
Former US Ambassador to South Africa, #EbrahimRasool, has expressed no regrets about his actions that ultimately led to his designation as a persona non grata, a status that forced him to return home. His comments come amidst ongoing discussions about the future of US-South… pic.twitter.com/vvjtEubSWR
— newsnote (@newsnoteSA) March 23, 2025
Hero’s Welcome in South Africa
Upon returning to South Africa, Rasool received a celebratory reception at Cape Town International Airport, where hundreds of supporters gathered with Palestinian flags and chanted “free Palestine.” The warm welcome appeared to validate Rasool’s stance on both his comments and South Africa’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has been another point of contention with the United States. Despite his expulsion, Rasool appeared undeterred by the U.S. action.
Rasool stood firmly by his analysis of American politics, insisting his comments were analytical rather than personal. “It is not the U.S. of Obama, it is not the U.S. of Clinton, it is a different U.S. and therefore our language must change,” he stated upon his return. “I would stand by my analysis because we were analyzing a political phenomenon, not a personality, not a nation, and not even a government.” This distinction, however, did little to mitigate the diplomatic fallout.
Underlying Tensions Between Nations
The ambassador’s expulsion occurs against a backdrop of already strained relations between the United States and South Africa. Prior to this incident, tensions had been building due to U.S. reductions in financial aid to South Africa, reportedly linked to disagreements over South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which allows for land seizure without compensation. The legislation has been controversial internationally, with critics arguing it undermines property rights and economic stability.
South Africa’s continued pursuit of its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice has also created friction with the United States. Rasool’s return home, surrounded by Palestinian flags and supporters chanting for Palestinian liberation, underscores South Africa’s unwavering commitment to this cause despite American pressure. President Ramaphosa’s office described the ambassador’s expulsion as “regrettable,” signaling a measured but defensive response from Pretoria.
Future of U.S.-South African Relations
The expulsion has significant implications for the future relationship between the United States and South Africa. Secretary Rubio’s decision to skip the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg further indicates the depth of the diplomatic rift. Despite the tension, Rasool emphasized the importance of repairing relations with the United States, suggesting that South Africa remains open to diplomatic reconciliation despite the current crisis.
Diplomatic observers note that such a severe measure as declaring an ambassador persona non grata signals a potential recalibration of U.S. policy toward South Africa. The incident raises questions about how both nations will navigate their relationship moving forward, particularly regarding issues of economic cooperation, regional security, and international alignments. With both nations holding significant influence in their respective regions, the path to diplomatic repair remains uncertain but critically important.
Sources:
Expelled South African ambassador returns home and says will wear US sanction as ‘badge of dignity’
U.S. declares South African ambassador PERSONA NON GRATA
