President Donald Trump announced that no US officials will attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, citing unsubstantiated claims that white Afrikaners are being “killed and slaughtered.” This marks a reversal of his earlier plan to send Vice President JD Vance in his place.
Trump, posting on Truth Social, called it a “disgrace” that the G20 is being held in South Africa, vowing no American participation “as long as these Human Rights abuses continue.” He also confirmed that the 2026 G20 summit will be hosted at his own Miami golf resort.
In response, South Africa’s foreign ministry called Trump’s remarks “regrettable,” emphasizing that the notion of a persecuted white Afrikaner group is “ahistorical and unsubstantiated.” The ministry reaffirmed its focus on “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability” as central to its G20 presidency.
Trump has repeatedly accused South Africa of orchestrating a “white genocide,” a claim debunked by human rights groups and the South African government. Relations between Washington and Pretoria have recently soured, especially over South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and new US tariffs of up to 30 percent.
What you should know
Donald Trump’s decision to boycott the G20 summit in South Africa continues his administration’s tense relations with Pretoria.
His repeated claims of a “white genocide” lack evidence and have been widely condemned. South Africa maintains that it will host the G20 under the principles of unity and equality, despite diplomatic friction.
