Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has launched a scathing attack on United States President Donald Trump, labelling him the “new Adolf Hitler” and accusing his administration of promoting imperialism and fascism. Malema made the remarks during a special press briefing held on 11 December 2025 in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, where he addressed South Africa’s exclusion from the 2026 G20 Summit.
Malema said the EFF had been closely monitoring the rise of what he described as “US imperialism and fascism under the Donald Trump administration”. He referenced several examples, including American interventions in Latin America, interference in the political processes of Venezuela, and Trump’s controversial threats regarding the Gaza Strip. According to Malema, these actions were consistent with authoritarian leadership styles reminiscent of historical dictators.
“It has resulted in the EFF correctly characterising Donald Trump as a reincarnation of Adolf Hitler,” he declared. Malema added that Trump’s decision to block South Africa from participating in next year’s G20 Summit in Miami further demonstrated the US leader’s hostility toward nations that refuse to bow to American influence.
The South African delegation was recently denied accreditation to all G20 events in the United States, with Trump making it clear that the country would not be invited to the global gathering. In response, Malema called on G20 member states to stand in solidarity with South Africa by boycotting the summit entirely. He argued that participating under such circumstances would be equivalent to endorsing exclusionary and oppressive practices.
“The only way to defeat fascism is through global solidarity,” Malema said, urging nations to reject what he called “bullying tactics” by the United States. According to him, a united stance from G20 members would send a strong message that no country should be sidelined for political reasons.
This is not the first time Malema has publicly criticised Trump. The EFF has a long history of clashes with the US President. The party previously labelled Trump a “KKK leader” following the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. They also condemned his comments about land reform in South Africa, accused him of lying about his engagements with President Cyril Ramaphosa, and dismissed his remarks calling for Malema’s arrest during a meeting at the White House. Malema has even claimed that Trump fears him because of his singing of the controversial “Kill the Boer” struggle song.
Tensions between the EFF and the Trump administration heightened further in 2025 when Trump stated he would not attend the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in South Africa. He cited “terrible things happening in the country” as the reason for his refusal and announced that no US delegation would participate.
Malema’s latest comments have added fuel to an already heated geopolitical debate as South Africa faces diplomatic isolation from one of the world’s most powerful nations. His call for a boycott places pressure on other G20 countries to take a stance on the matter, raising questions about global relations, fairness in international organisations, and the role of political power on the world stage.
As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are now on the international community to see whether any nations will support Malema’s call — or whether South Africa will face the consequences of standing up to the Trump administration alone.
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