The US is expelling South Africa's ambassador to Washington, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio describing him as a "race-baiting politician". In a post on X, Rubio accused Ebrahim Rasool of hating the US and President Donald Trump, and said the ambassador was "no longer welcome in our great country".

Ties between the United States and South Africa have deteriorated since Trump cut U.S. financial aid to the country.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. is a “race-baiting politician” who is no longer welcome in the country — the latest sign of tension between the Trump administration and the African nation.