US President Donald Trump has declared that no American officials will attend the 2025 Group of 20 (G20) summit in South Africa, citing what he calls the country’s mistreatment of white farmers. Trump labeled the summit’s location a “total disgrace” in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, and reiterated his controversial claims of a so-called “genocide” against white South Africans.

“Afrikaners are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated,” Trump wrote, claims that have been repeatedly debunked by South African authorities and independent experts.

Trump further added:

“No US Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue. I look forward to hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida!”

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Background: Rising Tensions Between the US and South Africa

Tensions between Washington and Pretoria intensified earlier this year after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa introduced a new Expropriation Act, aiming to address long-standing disparities in land ownership. The law allows the state to expropriate land without compensation under specific conditions, including abandoned properties, to promote fair land redistribution.

Trump has criticized this legislation as “confiscation”, accusing South Africa of mistreating its white minority. In May 2025, the Trump administration granted asylum to 59 white South Africans, citing racial discrimination and resettlement needs.

During a controversial White House meeting that same month, Trump confronted President Ramaphosa with screenshots from a Reuters video of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, misrepresenting it as evidence of a mass killing of white South Africans. Ramaphosa strongly denied these claims, pointing out that if such a “genocide” existed, prominent white South Africans, including golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen and billionaire Johann Rupert, would not be alive and present in the country.

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Impact on the G20 Summit

The 2025 G20 summit, scheduled for November 22-23 in Johannesburg, will host leaders from the world’s largest and emerging economies. Trump’s boycott marks a significant diplomatic protest and underscores growing friction between the US and South Africa.

Previously, US Vice President JD Vance had been expected to attend in Trump’s stead. However, a source familiar with Vance’s plans confirmed he will no longer travel to South Africa due to the administration’s position.

Trump has also called for South Africa to be expelled from the G20, escalating the diplomatic dispute further.

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Historical Context and Expert Opinions

Experts and historians have widely dismissed Trump’s “white genocide” claims. Professor Saul Dubow, a South African historian at the University of Cambridge, described these assertions as “Trump’s fantasy claims of white genocide”, noting that they lack factual basis. Dubow suggested that Trump’s stance may be influenced by South Africa’s genocide case filed against Israel at the International Court of Justice over its military actions in Gaza.

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US Immigration Policy and White South Africans

Despite international criticism, the Trump administration has continued to prioritize resettlement for white South Africans. On October 30, 2025, the White House announced that most new refugees admitted to the US will be white South Africans, as the overall refugee cap for the year was reduced to 7,500 people.

“The admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa pursuant to Executive Order 14204 and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands,” the White House stated.

This policy has fueled further controversy, highlighting the intersection of immigration, human rights, and US foreign policy.

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Key Takeaways

• President Trump boycotts 2025 G20 summit in South Africa, citing alleged persecution of white farmers.
• Trump’s claims of a “white genocide” are rejected by South African authorities and independent historians.
• US-South Africa diplomatic tensions stem from the Expropriation Act and land redistribution policies.
• The Trump administration continues to prioritize asylum for white South Africans while limiting overall refugee admissions.
• The G20 summit in Johannesburg proceeds amid heightened international scrutiny and controversy.