Trump goes nuclear on South Africa, labelling it a ‘dangerous mess’

US President Donald Trump again criticised South Africa this week, stating the country "shouldn't even be in the G's anymore." He also announced his decision not to attend the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit, which Johannesburg is scheduled to host later this month.

- ZAMANDOSI CELE

US President Donald Trump speaks at the American Business Forum at the Kaseya Cenre in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday. I CHANDAN KHANNA AFP

Speaking at a business forum in Miami, Trump accused South Africa of "going in the wrong direction" and suggested the country’s domestic and foreign policies had undermined its standing among major economies.

But this was not the first time Trump has launched verbal missives at South Africa and Africa. Despite his dangerous rhetoric about the country, thousands of Americans visit South Africa annually

In 2024, the United States overtook the United Kingdom as South Africa’s primary source market. This is supported by a June 2025 statement from the South African government, indicating that arrivals from the US have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

They added that, in the first four months of 2025 alone, South Africa welcomed 111,491 visitors from the USA.

Meanwhile, the latest Statistics South Africa data revealed that 372,362 tourists from the US visited South Africa in 2024, reflecting a 5.2% increase from 2023 to 2024.

Here are some of the things the US President has said in the past about the continent

In early 2015, long before his presidency could be taken seriously, Trump tweeted about South Africa's security situation, declaring it a “dangerous mess”.