Why Trump is singling out South Africa and accusing it of being anti-American

Los Angeles Times - Mar 15th, 2025
Open on Los Angeles Times

The Trump administration has expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, citing allegations of anti-white and anti-American sentiment. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the expulsion via social media, calling Rasool a 'race-baiting politician' and linking to a Breitbart article that criticized Rasool's comments on the Make America Great Again movement. This move follows an executive order from Trump cutting funding to South Africa over its domestic and foreign policies, including alleged support for groups like Hamas and Iran. The decision has intensified tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, with the latter expressing surprise and a desire to mend relations.

The expulsion and sanctions come amid broader U.S. criticisms of South Africa's government, particularly its land expropriation laws and its stance in international politics, including its support for the Palestinian cause. These actions are part of a pattern of strained U.S.-South Africa relations, which were already under pressure during the Biden administration due to differences over the Ukraine conflict and South Africa's historic ties with Russia. The situation highlights the geopolitical complexities and historical legacies influencing modern diplomatic relationships, with significant implications for both countries' international standing and domestic policies.

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RATING

5.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article effectively highlights the tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, focusing on the expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and related accusations. While the story is timely and addresses significant public interest topics, it lacks depth in its analysis and verification of claims. The reliance on a single perspective and limited source variety affects the balance and credibility of the reporting. The article is generally clear and readable, but it could benefit from more detailed context and evidence to enhance its accuracy and impact. Overall, the story provides a starting point for understanding the issues but requires further exploration and verification to offer a comprehensive view.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that require verification, such as the expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and the reasons behind it. The article claims that the U.S. expelled Rasool due to his comments on a webinar, which were linked to a Breitbart article. However, the story does not provide direct evidence or quotes from the webinar itself, which would help verify this claim. Additionally, the article mentions Trump's accusations against South Africa, such as anti-white policies and support for 'bad actors' like Hamas and Iran. While these claims are reported, the article does not provide evidence or sources to substantiate them. The mention of land expropriation in South Africa and the offer of refugee status to Afrikaner farmers are also presented without sufficient verification, reducing the overall accuracy of the piece.

5
Balance

The story appears to lean towards presenting the Trump administration's perspective, particularly in relation to its accusations against South Africa. While it mentions South Africa's responses to these accusations, such as the denial of land seizures and the historical context of land ownership, these points are not explored in depth. The article could improve balance by providing more context or perspectives from South African officials or experts on the land expropriation issue and the country's foreign policy. Additionally, the story briefly mentions the Biden administration's stance, but this is not as thoroughly explored as the Trump administration's actions, which could lead to perceived bias.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting the key events and claims in a straightforward manner. The logical flow from the expulsion of the ambassador to the broader context of U.S.-South Africa relations helps readers follow the narrative. However, the story could benefit from more detailed explanations or background information on certain complex issues, such as the land expropriation law or the historical context of South Africa's foreign policy, to enhance comprehension.

6
Source quality

The article references several sources, including statements from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a Breitbart article. However, the reliance on a single conservative news outlet for key claims could affect the perceived impartiality of the reporting. The story would benefit from a broader range of sources, including independent experts or South African officials, to provide a more comprehensive and balanced view. The mention of Elon Musk and Joel Pollak's connections to the situation adds complexity, but these are not deeply explored or supported with evidence, which could impact source credibility.

5
Transparency

The article provides some context for the U.S.-South Africa tensions, such as the historical ties between South Africa and Russia and South Africa's support for the Palestinian cause. However, it lacks transparency in explaining the methodology behind certain claims, such as the alleged support for 'bad actors' or the details of the land expropriation law. The story could improve transparency by offering more detailed explanations or citing specific evidence for its claims, which would help readers understand the basis for the reported events and decisions.

Sources

  1. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-expels-south-african-ambassador-saying-he-hates-trump-5002561
  2. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/03/15/us-expels-south-african-ambassador-saying-he-hates-trump_6739171_4.html
  3. https://news.sky.com/story/us-expels-south-african-ambassador-for-being-race-baiting-politician-13328948