According to Mike Cohen, a poet for Bloomberg, President Donald Trump “falsly claims” that the state of South Africa is stealing the property of the white farmers. But a few paragraphs later, he acknowledged that it is really occurring and that it is being seen through the eyes of its followers without addressing the problems Trump had raised about it.
More than three decades after White-minority law ended, “land rights in South Africa continues to be a hot topic,” Cohen wrote in a Monday content. ” The falsehood that US President Donald Trump is a part of the government’s area catches has fueled the debate even more.”
On February 7, Trump signed an executive order titled” Addressing Egregious Actions Of The Republic Of South Africa.” The president criticized South Africa’s Expropriation Act 13 because it would “allow the state of South Africa to acquire agricultural property belonging to ethnic minority Afrikans without payment.”
According to Cohen, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa claimed that” Trump misunderstood the goal and mechanics of the law, which was passed to guarantee equitable access to land.”
But then, Cohen changed from debating the property catches to appearing to be endorsing them. ” The A]frican ] N]ational ] C]ongress] then said it could achieve its land-redistribution goals through the standalone Expropriation Act, which only needed a simple majority in parliament to pass”, Cohen wrote.  ,
He claimed that the act “gives the government the authority to use area for common purposes,” such as roads or institutions, or “in the public interest,” with attempts to “bring about equitable access to all South Africa’s natural resources in order to remedy the effects of prior cultural discrimination.” And, Cohen wrote,” ]t ] he owner of expropriated land must be paid’ just and equitable ‘ compensation, although the act contains a provision for nothing to be paid in some instances”.
Cohen also acknowledges that the law supports “land-redistribution targets” and that it does not violate any payment because it operates along racial lines. Sounds similar to Trump’s explanation of the bill, which states that it would “allow the state of South Africa to seize racial minority Afrikaners ‘ agricultural house without settlement.”
Expropriation Act 13 openly allows forced seizure of property with no payment. ” When a court or arbitrator determines the amount of compensation in accordance with section 23 of the 1996 Land Reform ( Labor Tenants ) Act ( Act No. 3 )”” 3 of 1996 ), it may be just and equitable for nonexistent compensation to be paid, having reference to all appropriate situation”, it reads.
In addition, according to the bill,” [i]t may be just and equitable for nonexistent compensation to be paid where property is expropriated in the public interest, taking into account all important circumstances, including… where the manager’s primary goal is not to develop the land or use it to create income, but to gain from appreciation of its market value.”
Chuck DeVore, chief national initiatives officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, pointed out Cohen’s disingenuous approach.  ,
” So, to sum up Bloomberg: ‘ Trump is lying.’ ‘ Well, Trump is telling the truth, but it’s a good thing, so he’s wrong,'” DeVore posted. ” Gotcha”.
Inciting Violence
Just one of the most recent blows to law and order in South Africa is this legislation. Africanners, also known as white South Africans, have been brutally murdered by black South Africans in farm attacks for decades. ( In 2018, Ramaphosa” said the government did not condone attacks or the seizure of white-owned farms, “according to Newsweek ). According to South Africa police statistics from April to September last year, there were 197 total reported farm murders and 154 attempted murders, not to mention nearly 600 total assault on farms.  ,
Andile Mngxitama, a far-left member of Parliament, allegedly supported the farm murders earlier this month.  ,
” I agree with Trump that land thieves must leave SA and enter the United States. Our land shall be free of colonialists. Mabahambe! “he wrote.
One user replied”, Only in a casket, Andile. Only in a casket. And I doubt your ability to arrange that. ” To which Mngxitama replied” Plaas moord” — Afrikaans for” farm murders.”
Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters, a Marxist political party in South Africa, regularly and unapologetically chant “kill the Boer” at rallies.
Trump’s executive order said South Africa’s land seizure law” follows countless government policies designed to dismantle equal opportunity in employment, education, and business, “along with” hateful rhetoric and government actions fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners.”
Logan Washburn is a staff writer who writes about election ethics. He is a The College Fix spring 2025 fellow. He graduated from Hillsdale College, served as Christopher Rufo’s editorial assistant, and has bylines in The Wall Street Journal, The Tennessean, and The Daily Caller. Logan grew up in rural Michigan but is originally from Central Oregon.
