South African Ambassador’s Remarks Were ‘Unacceptable’ – US Govt

US government on Monday said the remarks made by South Africa’s ambassador about President Donald Trump were “unacceptable,”.

A State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, told reporters on Monday after Washington last week made the decision to expel the envoy.

Ties between the two countries have slumped since Trump cut U.S. financial aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land policy and its genocide case against Washington’s ally Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool following an article that quoted him as saying President Donald Trump was leading a white supremacist movement was the last straw.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Saturday in a post on X that he was expelling Rasool, calling him a “race-baiting politician” who hates Trump, and reposting the article from right-wing website Breitbart.

“These remarks were unacceptable to the United States, not just to the president, but to every American,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, speaking at a daily briefing, told reporters.

“At the very least, what we should expect is a standard of some respect – basic, low-level respect – if you’re in a position that is going to help facilitate any kind of diplomatic relationship with another country.”

She added that Rasool’s privileges as ambassador expired on Monday and he must leave the country by Friday.

South Africa’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Breitbart article or Bruce’s comments.

South Africa previously called the expulsion regrettable in statements from its presidency and international relations department, but said it remained committed to building mutually beneficial relations.