Trump Invites South African Farmers For ‘Rapid’ US Citizenship

Topline

President Donald Trump said on Friday that farmers from South Africa will be offered a “rapid pathway” to American citizenship following his executive order that pauses all federal aid to the country, as Trump and Elon Musk have criticized South African officials for a new law they argued discriminates against white farmers.

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Key Facts

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What Is The Expropriation Act?

South Africa enacted the Expropriation Act in January, as officials argued the legislation would correct land ownership disparities among non-white and white South Africans established during apartheid. Black South Africans represent over 80% of the country’s population, though they own about 4% of private land, according to CNN. The law allows South Africa’s government to take land and redistribute it, sometimes without compensation, though seizure is only permitted if it’s found to be “just and equitable and in the public interest.”

What Have Trump And Musk Said About South Africa?

Ramaphosa said the Expropriation Act would “ensure public access to land in an equitable and just manner,” though Musk—who was born in Pretoria, South Africa—responded, asking Rampahosa: “Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?” Before his executive order, Trump reportedly accused South Africa’s leadership of “doing some terrible things, horrible things” and said the U.S. would investigate “what South Africa is doing.” In his latest Truth Social post, Trump accused South Africa of “confiscating [farmers’] LANDS and FARMS, and MUCH WORSE THAN THAT,” though he did not specify.

Chief Critic

The South African government disputed Trump’s executive order on Feb. 8, saying the “foundational premise of this order lacks factual accuracy and fails to recognize South Africa’s profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid.”

What To Watch For

South Africa is working on a new trade deal to ease tensions with the U.S., a spokesperson for Ramaphosa told the New York Times. Vicent Magewenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, reportedly said South Africa expects Trump to end the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a trade agreement between the U.S. and 32 African countries established in 2000. While officials believe the agreement will be renewed after it expires later this year, Magwenya said South Africa plans to offer a deal that would increase trade in several sectors, including energy.

Key Background

Both Trump and Musk have previously feuded with South Africa. During his first term in 2018, Trump requested former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to probe a series of farmland seizures and the “large scale” killing of farmers in South Africa, though the country’s officials said Trump’s claim was “based on false information.” Nearly 50 farmers were reportedly killed over a 12-month period between 2017 and 2018, a 20-year low, according to the South African farming organization AgriSA. In 2023, Musk claimed South African organizers were “openly pushing for genocide of white people” as they chanted the song “Kill the Boer.” The “Boer” in the song refers to white South African farmers who are descendants of European colonists, though historians have said the song supports ending apartheid and discrimination in South Africa rather than inciting violence.

Further Reading

South Africa Prepares Trade Deal Meant To Ease Tensions With Trump (New York Times)

What To Know About South Africa’s ‘Kill The Boer’ Chant—As Elon Musk Sounds Alarm (Forbes)