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White Lies: Trump’s South Africa Executive Order and the Real Play Behind It

J.D. Johnson

Another Manufactured Crisis

On February 7, 2025, the White House dropped an executive order cutting all U.S. aid to South Africa and announcing a plan to resettle Afrikaner refugees in the U.S. The stated reason? The so-called “racial persecution” of white South Africans under the country’s new land reform policies. The real reason? A political power play wrapped in the usual far-right grievance politics and international chess moves.

This isn’t just another knee-jerk culture war stunt. It’s a calculated geopolitical move tied to Israel, white nationalist narratives, and Trump’s need to keep his base frothing at the mouth.

This is the authoritarian playbook: manufacture a fake crisis, inject it with racial fear, then use it to justify real oppression. ‘Migrant caravans.’ ‘Woke indoctrination.’ ‘White genocide.’ Same script. Different battlefield.

The Order: What It Actually Says

The executive order does two major things:

  1. Suspends all U.S. aid to South Africa
    • This includes economic assistance, security cooperation, and global health funding (think PEPFAR, which has saved millions of lives in the fight against HIV/AIDS). (State Department)
  2. Orders U.S. agencies to “prioritize” refugee status for white South Africans
  • Specifically, Afrikaners—the descendants of Dutch colonizers—who claim they are being “persecuted” due to the country’s land expropriation policies.
  • This follows years of far-right media (from Tucker Carlson to Breitbart) pushing the false claim that South Africa is committing “white genocide.” (Media Matters)

This isn’t policy. It’s white nationalist networking—fuel for the far-right in the U.S., Australia, and Europe. This isn’t about refugees. It’s about consolidating power.

The Expropriation Act: What It Really Is

Here’s the truth: South Africa’s new land reform policy isn’t some apartheid-in-reverse revenge fantasy. For centuries, white landowners in South Africa built their wealth on the backs of a violently dispossessed Black majority. When apartheid finally collapsed in 1994, 87% of the land was still in white hands. That was not an accident. Right-wing authoritarians rage about ‘land seizures’ in South Africa but cheer as Israel bombs Palestinian homes and U.S. corporations steal Indigenous land. (wikipedia.org), (inthesetimes.com)

But if you listen to the U.S. right-wing media machine, you’d think farmers are being dragged from their homes in the dead of night. (Africa Check)

Why Now? The Israel Connection

If Trump was so concerned about human rights abuses, why isn’t he calling out Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, or Israel? Why South Africa? Because South Africa just did something that pissed off both Trump and his biggest ally, Benjamin Netanyahu. But this isn’t just about punishing South Africa. This is about protecting Netanyahu, Trump’s closest authoritarian ally. They’re both running criminal governments. They both fear real investigations. And they both need to keep their bases distracted and enraged.

In January 2024, South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza. This was a huge international move, and one that put the U.S. on the defensive. (ice-cij.org), (bbc.com)

  • The ICJ case has wide international support and exposes the U.S.’s blind backing of Israel. (carnegieendowment.org)
  • South Africa has led the charge on Palestinian solidarity, which aligns with its long history of opposing apartheid and colonialism. (apnew.com)

Trump’s executive order is political retribution, not policy—another authoritarian power move disguised as human rights advocacy.

Collage art by Xmo 2025

The White Genocide Myth and the Far-Right Playbook

The idea that white farmers in South Africa are facing “genocide” is a complete fabrication pushed by white nationalist groups, U.S. right-wing media, and even Russian disinformation networks.

  • Murder rates for white farmers are actually lower than for the general South African population. According to South Africa’s official crime stats, white farmers account for less than 1% of all murder victims. (africacheck.org)
  • The “Boer crisis” is a propaganda tool used by far-right extremists to fuel racial fear-mongering in the U.S., Australia, and Europe. (spectator.co.uk)
  • The narrative gained traction under Trump in 2018, when he tweeted about it after watching a Fox News segment by Tucker Carlson. (guardian.com)

The same people shrieking about ‘white genocide’ in South Africa threw parades for Kyle Rittenhouse. They don’t fear violence. They just want to be the ones holding the gun. (newyorker.com)

Yep, this is yet another manufactured moral panic designed to distract, divide, and justify authoritarian policies.

adl.org 2017

The Charlottesville marchers chanted ‘You will not replace us.’ The Buffalo shooter cited ‘white genocide’ in his manifesto. This isn’t just a South Africa story—it’s the same racist script playing out worldwide.

Understand this: ‘White genocide’ is a manufactured conspiracy designed by far-right and white authoritarian nationalist groups to weaponize racial fear and justify reactionary policies. It’s a lie—meant to incite resentment, radicalize, and create a false sense of victimhood. There is no evidence, no factual basis—only a political agenda built on fear and deception. (wikipedia.org), (slpcenter.org)

Breaking it Down: ‘White Genocide’ Is a Lie

  1. Demographic Change is Not Genocide
    • Genocide, as defined by the United Nations, involves the deliberate extermination of a group through mass killings, forced sterilization, or cultural destruction. Population shifts due to migration or social change do not meet this definition. (un.org)
    • Claims of “white decline” rely on misleading statistics that ignore natural demographic trends, such as lower birth rates in wealthier nations.
  2. Multiculturalism is Not Erasure
    • Cultural evolution and integration are natural processes seen throughout human history. The existence of diverse cultures does not mean the “destruction” of any particular group.
    • Immigration enriches societies, adding to the cultural, economic, and intellectual landscape rather than eliminating any identity.
  3. Who Promotes the ‘White Genocide’ Myth?
    • The idea has been spread by white nationalist groups, far-right politicians, and propaganda outlets looking to radicalize audiences. (globalextremism.org)
    • It is often linked to calls for ethnic purity, violence, or policies designed to suppress non-white populations.
  4. The Political Purpose of the Lie
    • This narrative serves as a recruitment tool for hate groups, providing justification for authoritarian, anti-democratic policies.
    • It redirects legitimate economic anxieties away from systemic issues and toward scapegoating marginalized communities.

The Fallacy of ‘White Culture’

Race is Not Culture

  • Culture is shaped by history, geography, language, and shared experiences, not skin color.
  • There is no singular “white culture” but rather a wide array of cultures that have evolved within different historical and national contexts.

European Cultures are Distinct and Varied

  • The cultures of France, Ireland, Germany, and Italy are unique and have developed through distinct histories.
  • The idea of a monolithic “white culture” is a recent invention tied to racial identity politics, not historical reality.

White Identity Politics is White Supremacy

  • The concept of a “threatened white culture” has been historically used to justify colonialism, segregation, and ethnic violence.
  • It is a reactionary response to a world that is becoming more interconnected and diverse, threatening the power structures that benefit white supremacy.

‘White genocide’ is a far-right conspiracy theory—nothing more. It’s a racist lie designed to justify xenophobia, authoritarianism, and violence. Likewise, “white culture” is a fabricated identity that ignores the diversity and complexity of human societies. Recognizing these lies is crucial in resisting efforts to manipulate fear for political gain and standing against racial scapegoating in all its forms. (splcenter.org)

The Fallout: Who Wins, Who Loses?

  • South Africa suffers: Cutting U.S. aid hurts public health programs, economic development, and security cooperation. This pushes South Africa closer to China and Russia.
  • Trump’s base eats it up: He gets to play the hero protecting “oppressed white farmers” while ignoring actual global human rights abuses.
  • Israel benefits: This sends a message to other Global South nations thinking about taking Israel to the ICJ—if you step out of line, expect consequences.
  • The rest of Africa takes note: If the U.S. is willing to punish South Africa for land reform, what does that mean for other post-colonial nations trying to right historical wrongs?

Trump isn’t protecting democracy. He’s building a white authoritarian Christian nationalist state while dragging America into global conflicts. And his base is eating it up.

The Takeaway: A Precedent for Authoritarianism

If this executive order was truly about human rights, the U.S. would be prioritizing refugees from Gaza, Sudan, or Myanmar—not wealthy white landowners in South Africa. This isn’t policy. This is political warfare dressed up as diplomacy.

Trump is laying the groundwork for something bigger. This is about turning U.S. foreign policy into a blunt weapon to reward allies and punish enemies while playing to racial anxieties at home.

Trump is setting a precedent for weaponized government power, racial fear-mongering, and a foreign policy dictated by ideological crusades.

The Bottom Line: This is Bigger Than South Africa

This is part of a global authoritarian movement—one that uses disinformation, racism, and nationalist propaganda to consolidate power. Stopping it starts with exposing the lies, resisting the policies, and fighting back at every level—online, in the streets, and at the ballot box.

If you’re paying attention, you are the resistance.

Next Steps…

What You Can Do Right Now

This isn’t just about South Africa. This is about your future. This is about the larger authoritarian power grab playing out in the U.S. and across the world. Here’s how you can fight back:

Stay Informed & Call Out Disinformation

The far-right thrives on lies, propaganda, and manufactured crises. Knowing the facts is the first step to dismantling their narrative. Never stop learning.

  • Follow independent investigative journalism:
  • Combat misinformation on social media:
    • Report white nationalist accounts and content spreading false claims about South Africa.
    • Call out the “white genocide” myth whenever it appears—don’t let disinformation go unchallenged.
    • Share fact-checked resources with friends and family.

Contact Your Representatives – Demand Action

Trump’s executive order is an authoritarian move that demands a response. Call or email your representatives and demand they:

  • Publicly oppose Trump’s executive order.
  • Protect PEPFAR funding for global health efforts in South Africa.
  • Expose the links between the U.S. far-right and white nationalist movements worldwide.

Find your representatives:

Pro tip: Phone calls get more attention than emails—demand an official stance.

3. Support Organizations Fighting White Supremacy & Authoritarianism

These groups directly combat far-right extremism, racial disinformation, and authoritarian movements:

  • Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org) – Tracks and exposes white nationalist networks.
  • Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (globalextremism.org) – Investigates far-right radicalization worldwide.
  • Color of Change (colorofchange.org) – Mobilizes against racial injustice and white nationalist narratives.
  • International Rescue Committee (rescue.org) – Supports refugees actually fleeing persecution.

Donate if you can. Share their work if you can’t.

4. Protest, Organize, and Show Up

  • If there are protests or demonstrations against Trump’s authoritarian policies, show up.
  • Find local activist groups fighting white nationalism – Many civil rights and immigration justice organizations are working against these narratives.
  • Use your platform. Whether it’s social media, community organizing, or local advocacy, don’t stay silent.

Resistance is collective. The more visible the opposition, the harder it is to ignore.

5. VOTE. AUTHORITARIANISM THRIVES ON APATHY.

If Trump (or any other Republican) gets another term, expect more executive orders like this—weaponizing U.S. foreign policy to reward white nationalists and punish Global South nations that don’t fall in line.

Check your voter registration NOW:

Make sure friends & family are registered, too. Your vote is your voice, use it.

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