Trump Cuts Off South Africa, Invites White Farmers to America Over Controversial Land Seizure Law
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In yet another dramatic diplomatic move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has thrown a direct punch at South Africa, announcing an immediate halt to all U.S. federal funding for the country. Trump also extended an open invitation to white South African farmers — popularly known as Boers — offering them fast-tracked citizenship if they choose to flee South Africa over fears of losing their land.
Trump made the announcement on Friday morning via his Truth Social platform, where he described South Africa as a “terrible” place for farmers.
“South Africa is being terrible, plus, to long-time farmers in the country. They are confiscating their LAND and FARMS, and MUCH WORSE THAN THAT,” Trump wrote in his characteristic all-caps style.
“A bad place to be right now, and we are stopping all Federal Funding. To go a step further, any farmer (with family!) from South Africa, seeking to flee that country for reasons of safety, will be invited into the United States of America with a rapid pathway to Citizenship. This process will begin immediately!”
As of press time, the South African embassy in Washington, D.C., had not responded to Trump’s comments.
Why This Matters
Trump’s strong reaction comes just weeks after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa officially signed the Expropriation Act into law in January. The law, which has been brewing controversy for years, gives the South African government the power to seize privately-owned land if deemed necessary for public interest — in some cases, without compensating the owners.
The South African government argues the law is necessary to correct apartheid-era land imbalances, where a small white minority controlled the vast majority of fertile land. However, critics — especially Afrikaaner farmers — claim the law unfairly targets white landowners and exposes them to potential violence.
The land expropriation debate has deep racial and historical undertones, making it one of the most sensitive political issues in the country.
Trump’s History With This Issue
This isn’t Trump’s first time targeting South Africa over land reform. Back in February 2025, he signed an executive order freezing all U.S. aid to South Africa, citing concerns over property rights abuses and alleged human rights violations tied to land seizures.
The Expropriation Act allows the South African government to negotiate with landowners. If talks fail, the state can invoke expropriation without compensation, but only in carefully defined cases, according to the South African government.
“The law is designed to correct historical injustices and ensure land reform happens in an orderly and legal manner,” a South African government spokesperson said in January.
The AfriForum Factor
The story took another twist when a delegation from AfriForum, a powerful lobbying group representing Afrikaaner farmers, visited the White House in late February to drum up support. Their visit drew sharp criticism from President Ramaphosa.
“We should stop running to other countries; we should discuss our own problems here and find solutions. That, in many ways, confirms our sovereignty,” Ramaphosa told reporters after the visit.
Mixed Reactions Within South Africa
The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s largest opposition party, strongly opposes the Expropriation Act, warning it grants excessive powers to the government.
“We reject this Act because no government in a democratic country should be given such sweeping powers to expropriate property without compensation,” the DA said in a February statement.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel, part of the White House delegation, didn’t hold back either.
“It’s President Ramaphosa that signed the Expropriation Act. It’s President Ramaphosa that refuses to condemn slogans like ‘Kill the Boer.’ It’s President Ramaphosa that denies the existence of farmer murders,” Kriel said.
On the other hand, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula took a dig at both Trump and AfriForum.
“I don’t want my president to sit in that Oval Office. I’ve seen what Trump did to that president of Ukraine. But Ramaphosa must go to America if he feels the need — he serves the whole of South Africa.”
What Happens Next
The immediate fallout from Trump’s decision to cut federal funding to South Africa could affect several U.S.-funded programs, including economic aid, health initiatives, and infrastructure projects. However, the exact scope of the funding freeze is still unclear.
As for Trump’s promise to grant expedited citizenship to South African farmers, he has several options. He could try pushing legislation through Congress, but given his aggressive style, executive action is much more likely — especially if he returns to power after the 2024 elections.
What’s clear is that U.S.-South Africa relations, already strained over trade disputes and South Africa’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, are heading for even stormier waters.
