On Monday, President Trump claimed that white minorities in South Africa are facing a form of “genocide,” coinciding with the arrival of the first group of African refugees recognized under U.S. law.
“This is a genocide that people are hesitant to talk about,” Trump remarked to reporters before he signed an executive order aimed at reducing drug prices.
“It’s a terrible situation, and farmers are being killed,” he continued. “They might be white, but honestly, it makes no difference to me, whether they are white or black.”
In response to a law passed last year that allows black-majority governments to take agricultural land from minority farmers without compensation, Trump announced a freeze on aid to South Africa.
A month later, he stated that “any farmer” looking to escape South Africa would be welcomed in the U.S. and granted a “rapid route” to citizenship.
This Monday, a group of 49 individuals, descendants of mainly Dutch settlers from the 1600s, arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
In 2024, the U.S. provided South Africa with over $320 million, primarily for health and humanitarian needs.
The expropriation legislation was passed after a 2017 study revealed that white South Africans owned about 75% of privately held farms, two decades after the end of apartheid.
Chris Philli from South Africa’s Foreign Ministry stated that the U.S. resettlement of South Africans as “refugees” is politically motivated and questions the integrity of South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
Additionally, the bishop of the Episcopal Church announced on the same day that the church would no longer assist the federal government with refugee resettlement. This decision came as the church was asked to aid Protestant denominations in finding homes for South Africans.
“Given our commitment to racial justice and our historical ties with the Church of England in South Africa, we can’t proceed with this,” noted Rev. Sean Lowe. He expressed concern over prioritizing this group of refugees over others who have been waiting in dire situations for years.
Lowe expressed sadness, particularly for victims of religious persecution, including Christians, who have not received shelter lately.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamora drew parallels between the expropriation laws and issues in well-known territories of the U.S., though the Trump administration maintains its criticisms.
“Those fleeing persecution are welcome in the U.S.,” stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “The South African government has mistreated these individuals, threatening to take their land and subjecting them to racism. This administration is proud to welcome them to our country.”
Elon Musk, a Trump adviser and South African native, has also been vocal in criticizing the South African government, asserting, “What’s happening there is deeply wrong. [Former President Nelson] Mandela would not have approved.”
