US President Donald Trump has once again taken aim at South Africa, branding the country a “total—and very dangerous—mess” in a scathing post on Truth Social. His remarks follow billionaire Elon Musk’s shocking allegations about racial discrimination and political turmoil in SA.
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly criticized South Africa, previously calling it a “very bad place” that “racially discriminates” against white people, particularly Afrikaners. His strong stance led to an Executive Order allowing members of the minority community to apply for refugee status in the U.S.
Trump Backs Musk’s Explosive Claims About SA
Over the weekend, Elon Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema for chanting the controversial struggle song Kill The Boer. Musk didn’t hold back, accusing the political party of “actively promoting white genocide.”
Trump quickly jumped on the discussion, posting a screenshot of Musk’s tweet alongside his own damning statement:
“As I have long been saying, South Africa is a total—and very dangerous—mess.”
Musk doubled down on his claims, referencing South Africa’s Expropriation Bill and the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Act, which he has previously labeled as “racist laws.” He also called out what he described as a media blackout on the issue, questioning:
“Where is the outrage? Why is there no coverage by the legacy media?”
Adding to his frustrations, Musk also claimed that his satellite internet company, Starlink, was denied a license to operate in SA because of his race:
“Starlink can’t get a license to operate in South Africa simply because I’m not black. How is that right?”
Elon Musk Warns Tourists: ‘Carry a Gun’ in South Africa
Though Trump has never visited South Africa, Musk—who grew up in Pretoria—has echoed the former president’s concerns, calling parts of his home country “extremely dangerous.”
In a viral tweet responding to a traveler seeking advice for a woman visiting South Africa, Musk warned:
“Cape Town is essentially a beautiful theme park and is generally kept safe for the tourists, so staying in the tourist areas is probably okay.”
However, he issued a stark warning about the rest of the country:
“Other parts of the country can be extremely dangerous for a woman traveling alone with no gun.”
He urged tourists to follow the guidance of trusted locals, avoid wandering into unfamiliar areas, and always prioritize their safety.
With both Trump and Musk painting a grim picture of South Africa, the controversy continues to fuel heated debates worldwide.
