The Trump Administration’s political assault on South Africa expanded this week thanks to U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell, a rabid conservative spokesman in the image of his uncle William F. Buckley. Bozell has been Trump’s attack dog against South Africa—accusing the country of carrying out uncompensated land seizures, racial discrimination, and incitement to violence against minority groups, meaning white “Afrikaner” citizens of South Africa. Trump, for his part, has denounced South Africa’s government over the recent months and has granted migrant status to any white South African.

On September 16, Bozell posted on X that the time for further dialogue is over and warned of “severe” consequences if South Africa does not change its policy. The ambassador said that the newly announced U.S. visa restrictions on South African officials and others accused of enabling uncompensated land seizures, racial discrimination, and incitement to violence against minority groups, including Afrikaners, are “only the first step in a series of escalatory measures.”

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola responded by threatening Bozells’ expulsion: “You can’t have a diplomat who says the time for talking is over… It’s our job to talk. So if you can’t talk as a diplomat and you cannot dialogue, get out of the kitchen,” Lamola told the Sunday Times. Trump already ordered a halt to U.S. aid to the country back in February 2025, citing alleged discrimination against Afrikaners and South Africa’s foreign policy. Washington also expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool the following month and has since announced targeted visa restrictions.