United States Slams Cyril Ramaphosa as Press Secretary Accuses Him of ‘Running His Mouth’ About G20
- The United States of America has responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa's Group of 20 comments
- The South African President indicated that he received notice from the US about participating in the event
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed Ramaphosa's statement and how the US viewed it
- Politicial commentator, Talha Randeree, spoke to Briefly News about the situation
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States of America is not happy with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s comments about the country and Donald Trump.
Ramaphosa was speaking ahead of the G20 World Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on 19 November 2025, when he indicated that the South African government received notice from the United States with regards to participating in the G20.
Ramaphosa also maintained that South Africa would not be bullied, insisting that the international event would go on with or without the USA.
Source: UGC
Karoline Leavitt accuses Ramaphosa of running his mouth
Addressing the media about the situation, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t take too kindly to Ramaphosa’s comments.
"The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa. I saw the South African President running his mouth a little bit against the United States, and the President of the United States and that language is not appreciated by the president or his team," she said.
What did Ramaphosa say?
Ramaphosa's comments centred around the USA's presence at the summit in Johannesburg. Trump previously indicated that no official would attend the summit due to his belief that terrible things were happening in the country.
The US President claimed that Afrikaners were being persecuted, saying that there was a white genocide taking place. He also claimed that the country had policies that promoted the extermination of people.
Sources then claimed that the US had made a U-turn on its decision to boycott the event and would be sending a delegation. Ramaphosa himself indicated that he received word that the US wanted to be a part of proceedings, something the country disputed.
Speaking to Briefly News about the situation, political commentator Talha Randeree said that more South Africans should rally behind Ramaphosa's firmness.
"Wholeheartedly, South Africans should get behind the sentiment of Ramaphosa that the country will not be bullied.
"It's clear already that Trump's Stalingrad approach is already failing since he's been the first to blink. The South Africans who support Trump look at what the G20 values are for this session and realise that the disunity Trump and his ilk are sowing in this country, and even in America, is the greatest tool the elites have to keep a population fighting one another."
Other stories related to the G20
Briefly News reported that there have been many talking points coming out of the situation involving the United States of America and the G20.
- American economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs criticised United States President Donald Trump's refusal to attend the G20 Summit.
- Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen backed President Ramaphosa amid his refusal to hand over the G20 presidency to Dillard.
- The South African government has announced that the United States will be barred from attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
