South Africa sent Ebrahim Rasool home after he served as their ambassador to America. He told the BBC that racism exists in the Trump team - pretty clear to see. Last week, Marco Rubio kicked him out of America, calling him a race-baiter who hates the country. This happened because Rasool said Trump tries to make white people feel like victims as a signal to supporters.
The BBC asked if Trump runs a racist government. Rasool answered that you can tell without naming names. He added that when wood has a hinge, you start thinking it might be a door. Rasool pointed to how they treat migrants and foreign students who back Palestine. He also said that Trump brings together far-right groups.
Trump officials say they reject claims about racism. The president promised voters he would send away thousands who crossed borders without papers. Rubio defends taking visas from students who make trouble at colleges. America and South Africa became less friendly after Trump came back to the White House in January.
Trump teams up with South African-born Elon Musk to attack South African land rules. Trump stopped all help to South Africa and says white Afrikaners can come to America as refugees because they face harm at home. South African leaders explain they want to fix unfair systems left from when whites ran the country by passing laws that assist black citizens.
Rasool says the story about Afrikaners facing problems is completely false. He states this lie attacks the heart of the new South Africa built under Nelson Mandela. When asked about his harsh words, Rasool said acting nice did not prevent punishment. He felt South Africa needed to stand up against repeated untruths.
People welcomed Rasool as a hero when he returned home Sunday. He feels no regrets about what he said. The ambassador expressed surprise at how easily Trump officials take offense yet dish out criticism. He mentioned they tried smiling through fake stories about white killings and cuts to aid money. They attempted all normal ways to talk until hitting barriers.
Rasool admits diplomats should keep talking, but he believes his job was not about making America happy or pretending lies were real. He used his brain power to describe what happened in South Africa because he wanted them to know business could not continue as usual. The relationship between both countries hit bottom when Trump ended aid because of the new law letting the government take land without payment in certain cases.
Another problem came from South Africa taking Israel to court in December 2023. South Africa claims Israel commits genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel says is false. Rasool worked as an ambassador before, from 2010 to 2015, during Barack Obama's time as president.
The BBC asked if Trump runs a racist government. Rasool answered that you can tell without naming names. He added that when wood has a hinge, you start thinking it might be a door. Rasool pointed to how they treat migrants and foreign students who back Palestine. He also said that Trump brings together far-right groups.
Trump officials say they reject claims about racism. The president promised voters he would send away thousands who crossed borders without papers. Rubio defends taking visas from students who make trouble at colleges. America and South Africa became less friendly after Trump came back to the White House in January.
Trump teams up with South African-born Elon Musk to attack South African land rules. Trump stopped all help to South Africa and says white Afrikaners can come to America as refugees because they face harm at home. South African leaders explain they want to fix unfair systems left from when whites ran the country by passing laws that assist black citizens.
Rasool says the story about Afrikaners facing problems is completely false. He states this lie attacks the heart of the new South Africa built under Nelson Mandela. When asked about his harsh words, Rasool said acting nice did not prevent punishment. He felt South Africa needed to stand up against repeated untruths.
People welcomed Rasool as a hero when he returned home Sunday. He feels no regrets about what he said. The ambassador expressed surprise at how easily Trump officials take offense yet dish out criticism. He mentioned they tried smiling through fake stories about white killings and cuts to aid money. They attempted all normal ways to talk until hitting barriers.
Rasool admits diplomats should keep talking, but he believes his job was not about making America happy or pretending lies were real. He used his brain power to describe what happened in South Africa because he wanted them to know business could not continue as usual. The relationship between both countries hit bottom when Trump ended aid because of the new law letting the government take land without payment in certain cases.
Another problem came from South Africa taking Israel to court in December 2023. South Africa claims Israel commits genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel says is false. Rasool worked as an ambassador before, from 2010 to 2015, during Barack Obama's time as president.
