In a surprising twist just months before the G20 Summit is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg this November, former U.S. President Donald Trump is now suggesting he might not show up—unless South Africa addresses what he’s calling the “genocide of white Afrikaners.”
This statement has stirred quite a bit of controversy, especially as global leaders begin final preparations for the highly anticipated summit.
South Africa Opens Its Doors, But Trump Isn’t So Sure
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, has confirmed that invitations have gone out to all G20 leaders—including Trump.
But Lamola emphasized that attendance is entirely voluntary.
Whether or not Trump makes an appearance, he said, is “up to them.”
Still, that didn’t stop Trump from voicing his hesitation just hours later at a White House press briefing.
Trump Ties His Attendance to a Controversial Claim
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “South Africa’s leadership is supposed to come see me next week.
We’re meant to have this G20 meeting there or something, but I don’t know how we can go unless that situation is taken care of.”
The “situation” he’s referring to? Trump claims that white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, are being violently targeted and that their plight is being ignored.
U.S. Set to Take Over G20 Leadership—but Not Without Drama
At the end of this year, the United States is expected to assume the G20 presidency from South Africa.
But Trump’s growing concerns about land expropriation and what he alleges are unchecked killings have already prompted his administration to skip some G20-linked events.
This isn’t just talk either—Trump is clearly taking action based on his beliefs.
Trump Points to Afrikaner Arrivals as Proof of Violence
Trump highlighted the arrival of 49 white Afrikaners in the U.S. as a recent example, claiming they were fleeing violence in South Africa.
According to him, the U.S. government has even fast-tracked citizenship for them.
“People in South Africa say it’s terrible what’s happening,” Trump explained.
“So we’ve essentially extended citizenship to those people so they can escape the violence and come here.”
How Big of a Deal Would Trump’s Absence Be?
Trump’s possible no-show is more than just a political snub—it could impact diplomatic relations, especially as South Africa passes the G20 leadership baton to the U.S.
The question now is whether this dispute over internal South African affairs will overshadow the broader goals of international cooperation.