The Road to Trump’s Embrace of White South Africans

In May 2019, during a Situation Room meeting, President Trump shifted the discussion from Iran to the plight of white South African farmers, suggesting they should receive asylum in the U.S., a view influenced by fringe narratives and Afrikaner activists, as noted by then-national security adviser John R. Bolton. By 2024, Trump’s administration had altered U.S. refugee policies to prioritize Afrikaners while suspending aid to South Africa, reflecting his viewpoint on race and a connection to white victimhood. This approach has been shaped by meetings with right-wing conservatives and personal conversations, emphasizing Trump’s perception of South Africa as a cautionary tale for America.

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