South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was expelled from the United States after criticizing the MAGA movement, returning home to a hero’s welcome despite the diplomatic fallout.
Key Takeaways
- Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was declared persona non grata and expelled from the U.S. after describing the MAGA movement as a response to “supremacist instincts”.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled Rasool a “race-baiting politician” who “hates America and hates Trump”.
- The expulsion marks a significant deterioration in U.S.-South Africa relations, which were already strained over South Africa’s land expropriation policies.
- Despite his expulsion, Rasool was welcomed back to South Africa by hundreds of supporters waving Palestinian flags.
- The diplomatic rift raises concerns about future relations between the two nations and potential steps to repair ties.
Diplomatic Crisis Unfolds as U.S. Expels South African Ambassador
The Trump administration has taken the rare and severe diplomatic step of expelling South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him persona non grata. The expulsion came after Rasool made controversial comments during a webinar where he characterized the Make America Great Again movement as a response to a “supremacist instinct” and discussed demographic shifts in American voting patterns. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision, effectively ending Rasool’s diplomatic mission in Washington.
Rubio did not mince words in his assessment of the South African diplomat, “South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. is no longer welcome in our great country. Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates Trump. We have nothing to discuss with him” declared Rubio. The decision represents one of the most severe diplomatic actions a host country can take against a foreign ambassador, reflecting the administration’s hardline stance against perceived criticism.
Former US Ambassador to South Africa, #EbrahimRasool, has expressed no regrets about his actions that ultimately led to his designation as a persona non grata, a status that forced him to return home. His comments come amidst ongoing discussions about the future of US-South… pic.twitter.com/vvjtEubSWR
— newsnote (@newsnoteSA) March 23, 2025
Rasool’s Controversial Comments and Defiant Return
The diplomatic crisis stemmed from Rasool’s analysis of American politics during a webinar presentation, “The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A., the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the U.S.A. in which the voting electorate in the U.S.A. is projected to become 48% white,” said the ambassador.
Far from being chastened by the expulsion, Rasool returned to South Africa to a hero’s welcome. Hundreds of supporters greeted him at Cape Town International Airport, many waving Palestinian flags and chanting “free Palestine.” The display underscored the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, as South Africa has pursued a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice despite American pressure. Rasool stood by his comments while emphasizing they were analytical rather than personal attacks.
Strained Bilateral Relations and Future Implications
The ambassador’s expulsion comes amid already tense relations between the United States and South Africa. The Trump administration had previously cut financial aid to South Africa over its controversial land expropriation policies, which allow for land seizure without compensation. The Expropriation Act has been a particular point of contention between the two nations, with American officials expressing concerns about property rights and economic impacts.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office described the expulsion as “regrettable,” while maintaining that the country desires a “mutually beneficial relationship” with the United States. Secretary Rubio’s decision to skip the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg further highlights the growing diplomatic rift. As both nations navigate this diplomatic crisis, questions remain about how relations might be repaired and what long-term consequences may result from this unprecedented breakdown in diplomatic protocol.
Sources:
Expelled South African ambassador returns home and says will wear US sanction as ‘badge of dignity’
U.S. declares South African ambassador PERSONA NON GRATA
