Trump to Cut US Funding to South Africa Over Land Law/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump announced plans to cut all U.S. funding to South Africa, citing concerns over its new land expropriation law. Trump claimed the policy leads to human rights violations against white citizens, a claim also echoed by Elon Musk. The South African government refutes these allegations, calling them misinformed.
Trump’s Plan to Cut South Africa Funding: Quick Looks
- Trump vowed to cut U.S. funding to South Africa over a new land law.
- He claims the policy results in “massive human rights violations.”
- The South African government denies land confiscation, calling it misunderstood.
- The law aims to redress historical land dispossession under apartheid.
- Elon Musk has also criticized South Africa’s government as “anti-white.”
- Trump’s funding cut could impact PEPFAR, a $400M annual HIV/AIDS aid program.
- South Africa remains America’s largest trading partner in Africa.
Trump to Cut US Funding to South Africa Over Land Law
Trump’s Move to Cut South Africa Funding: Deep Look
Trump’s Announcement
In a major foreign policy move, President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that the United States will cut all funding to South Africa, citing concerns over its new land expropriation law. Writing on Truth Social, Trump claimed:
“South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY. A massive Human Rights VIOLATION is happening for all to see.”
He further announced an investigation into South Africa’s policies, saying the U.S. will halt funding until a full review is completed.
What Is the Controversial Land Law?
The Expropriation Act, signed into law last month, allows the South African government to acquire land for public use if it is not being used productively. Officials argue it aims to correct historic injustices from the apartheid era, when land was forcibly taken from Black South Africans.
Critics, however, claim the law could pave the way for land seizures from the country’s white minority. Trump appears to be reacting to these concerns, although the South African government insists race is not a factor in land expropriation.
In a response on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated:
“The South African government has not confiscated any land. The Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument but a constitutionally mandated legal process.”
Elon Musk Joins the Criticism
Trump’s stance aligns with Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and has been outspoken against the government. In 2023, Musk accused South African officials of allowing a “genocide” against white farmers, a claim widely debunked by crime experts.
While violent crime in South Africa is alarmingly high, experts say white farmers are not specifically targeted—violence affects all racial groups. Official statistics show around 70 homicides per day, with most victims being Black South Africans.
Impact of Trump’s Decision
One major consequence of Trump’s funding cut could be the loss of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provides $400 million annually to South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programs. The country has one of the world’s highest HIV infection rates, meaning a funding freeze could severely impact public health efforts.
Ramaphosa’s office downplayed the significance of U.S. financial aid, stating that South Africa “receives no other significant funding from America”. However, the U.S. remains South Africa’s largest trading partner in Africa, making Trump’s move economically significant.
South Africa’s Response & Political Reactions
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola urged the Trump administration to understand the law before acting, emphasizing that land redistribution is a constitutional and legal process.
Meanwhile, civil society groups have warned against blanket sanctions, suggesting that if Trump takes punitive action, he should target government officials rather than the broader population.
Democratic leaders in the U.S. have also condemned Trump’s stance. They argue that cutting funding over an unverified claim could destabilize U.S.-South African relations.
Trump’s History with South Africa
This isn’t the first time Trump has criticized South Africa over land issues. In 2018, he posted on social media that South Africa was seizing land and that there was “large-scale killing of farmers.”
That claim was widely debunked, but Trump ordered the State Department to investigate, similar to his latest move.
What’s Next?
Trump’s planned funding cut could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for health programs and U.S.-South Africa trade relations. With elections looming in both countries, the issue is likely to remain a flashpoint in diplomatic discussions.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s influence in Trump’s foreign policy decisions continues to raise questions, as he remains one of the strongest voices against the South African government.
For now, the official U.S. investigation into South Africa’s land policies is underway, and further economic actions could follow.
