EFF slams Trump Over “White Genocide” claims, G20 Boycott hint

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has drawn sharp criticism from South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party after making controversial remarks suggesting a “white genocide” in South Africa and questioning the country’s suitability to host the upcoming G20 summit.

In a Truth Social post, Trump repeated debunked claims that white farmers in South Africa are being targeted and killed, alleging that farmland is being forcibly seized. He posted: “Is this where we want to be for the G20? I don’t think so!”—indicating a possible call to boycott the summit scheduled for November in South Africa.

Trump’s post included video clips of EFF leader Julius Malema discussing land occupation and revolution—comments that the EFF says were taken out of context.

In a swift and fiery response, the EFF accused Trump of scapegoating South Africa to dodge international backlash over his recent economic policies. “It is clear that he fears facing his counterparts following his humiliating tariff stunt,” the party said in a statement, accusing the former U.S. president of committing “economic genocide” through protectionist trade actions.

The EFF, which won 10% of the national vote in the last general election, advocates for bold economic reforms such as land redistribution without compensation and nationalisation of key sectors. However, the party has reiterated its commitment to pursuing these reforms through legal and constitutional means.

Land reform continues to be a sensitive issue in South Africa. Although white South Africans make up a minority of the population, they still own over 70% of commercial farmland. Despite right-wing claims, the South African government has stated repeatedly that no policy of land seizure is in place, and no farms have been forcibly taken.

Trump’s “white genocide” rhetoric mirrors language used by far-right groups and has been widely discredited by independent investigations and human rights organisations. This latest outburst has added strain to U.S.–South Africa relations, with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office dismissing Trump’s comments.

“We were no longer expecting him to attend in any case,” said Ramaphosa’s spokesperson.

Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also snubbed the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in South Africa, labelling the agenda “anti-American.”