South Africa is left defending itself and denying claims that it “confiscated land” as President Donald Trump threatens to cut off funding and Elon Musk pushes his apartheid views.
RELATED: South Africans Are Calling On The Royal Family To Return Stolen Diamond
On Sunday (February 2), President Donald Trump vowed to withhold federal funding to South Africa as punishment for a law meant to provide reparations to the people and communities affected during the country’s racist apartheid system.
Despite the apartheid ending in 1994, after beginning in 1948, South Africa still remains plagued by the laws that upheld racial inequality and essentially made Black South Africans second-class citizens. Such inequality stemming from the apartheid also still undermines Black land ownership.
Subsequently, in January, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a law allowing the government “to expropriate land in the public interest for varied reasons that seek, among others, to promote inclusivity and access to natural resources.”
President Trump reacted to the move on Truth Social and falsely claimed, “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.” He further threatened to cut all funding to South Africa until his administration completes a full investigation into his claims. Trump also launched similar claims at South African officials in 2018, echoing false claims about “White genocide” made by White nationalists and far-right figures in America and South Africa.
Now, Elon Musk — who’s notably been by Donald Trump’s side during his 2024 election and also the head of the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — was born and spent his formative years in apartheid South Africa and has also been spreading the false claims that a “White genocide” is on the rise in his native land.
President Cyril Ramaphosa fired back at Trump’s claims and said the land law isn’t allowing confiscations and simply “ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution.” However, Musk accused Ramaphosa of allowing “racist ownership laws.”
#Socialites, be sure to check out the post below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment after!