Overview
- Speaking at the American Business Forum in Miami, Trump said Miami has been a haven for people fleeing “communist tyranny in South Africa” while also warning about “communist Cuba” and “socialist Venezuela.”
- He then referenced “South America” and questioned South Africa’s place in the G20, declaring he would not attend the upcoming summit there and would not represent the United States at the event.
- Reporters and commentators noted that South Africa has never had a communist government and pointed out that Miami’s immigrant flows more commonly involve Venezuelans and Colombians fleeing authoritarian or leftist regimes.
- Video clips of the remarks circulated on X, where critics including journalist Mike Rothschild described the speech as an “unfollowable ramble” and said Trump appeared exhausted.
- Some observers suggested he likely meant South America rather than South Africa, and no official clarification or correction had been issued at the time of the coverage.