Fri Mar 14 23:21:31 UTC 2025: ## Trump Administration Declares South African Ambassador Persona Non Grata

**Washington D.C.** – The Trump administration has expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him *persona non grata*. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on social media, citing Rasool’s criticism of President Trump. Rubio accused Rasool of “race-baiting” and anti-American sentiment, referencing a Breitbart article quoting Rasool’s description of Trump’s rhetoric as utilizing “white victimhood.”

This action is the latest escalation in the strained relationship between the US and South Africa, marked by disagreements over apartheid’s legacy, Israeli policy, and South Africa’s support for Palestinian rights. The Trump administration has previously denied Rasool routine access to US State Department officials and high-level Republicans.

The expulsion follows Trump’s past actions against South Africa, including the halting of aid and the offer of expedited US citizenship to white Afrikaners, framed as refugees fleeing “government-sponsored race-based discrimination.” These actions stem from the Trump administration’s accusations of discrimination against South Africa’s white minority, a claim refuted by the South African government. The government contends that the current inequalities are a legacy of apartheid, citing statistics showing the vast disparity in land ownership between Black and white South Africans.

South Africa’s presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, stated that the country would not engage in “megaphone diplomacy” in response to Trump’s pronouncements. Ambassador Rasool himself was previously expelled from his home during the apartheid era, highlighting the personal significance of the ongoing conflict. The expulsion further underscores the deep divisions and ongoing tensions between the two nations.

Read More