US accused South Africa of ‘weaponising’ G20, Trump plans to ‘monetise’ it – Firstpost

The United States has accused South Africa of “weaponizing” its G20 presidency during this year’s summit in Johannesburg — even as President Donald Trump prepares to host next year’s summit at his Trump National Doral golf resort in Florida, a decision that has revived deep concerns over conflicts of interest and the monetization of public office.

according to a new York Times According to the report, in September, Trump confirmed that the 2026 summit would take place at his Miami-area resort, reiterating claims that “everybody wants it there” and defending the option as “the best location.”

“Everyone wants it there,” NYT Trump was quoted by reporters as saying, without specifying who had called for such a thing.

“It’s right next to the airport. It’s the best location. It’s beautiful,” he said.

The announcement was immediately investigated. While the president is exempt from federal conflict-of-interest laws, ethics experts have warned that hosting one of the world’s most important diplomatic forums at a property he owns and profits from could further undermine long-standing norms separating public duty from private gain.

The move also highlights a surprising contradiction in Washington’s current stance.

The US has sharply criticized South Africa’s handling of the Johannesburg summit, accusing it of “refusing to facilitate a smooth transition” to the G20 presidency and claiming Pretoria has “weaponized” the institution for political purposes.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, “Despite persistent and strong US objections, South Africa’s pressure to release the G20 Leaders’ Declaration underscores the fact that they have weaponized their G20 presidency to undermine the founding principles of the G20.”

Yet Trump’s decision to hold the next summit at his own resort raises ethical concerns that US officials have accused South Africa of violating.

As Washington rebukes Pretoria for undermining G20 principles, its own president is preparing to host the event at his private estate – and potentially benefit financially from it.

Ramaphosa rejects US proposal as tensions rise

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa closed the G20 summit in Johannesburg with applause after rejecting a US proposal to hand it over to a junior US diplomat rather than the head of state.

The US boycotted the summit, citing repeated discredited claims that South Africa discriminates against white-minority Africans.

Ramaphosa, who framed the summit as a victory for global cooperation despite the diplomatic rift, made only a brief reference to the absent US delegation.

She stressed the need for collective action on global challenges, including climate change and gender equality – topics that contrast with Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and his administration’s reversal of protections against discrimination.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly accused South Africa of acting against the G20’s “founding principles”, a charge rejected by South African officials.

Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola countered that Pretoria had strictly followed protocol and that a similar diplomatic offer had been made to the US.

Ethical questions loom over 2026 summit

Trump’s decision to host the next summit at Trump National Doral underscores a broader pattern of using his political office to promote his brand and profit from it.

Since returning to the White House, Trump and his business partners have launched a suite of ventures — ranging from millions in cryptocurrency fees to new luxury clubs and international real-estate deals. His family has also received high-value foreign gifts, including a Qatari jet worth $200 million, raising further ethical questions, reports say NYT,

Trump says Doral will only charge “at cost” and insists he will make “no money” from the summit, echoing an assurance he gave in 2019 before abandoning a similar plan to host the G7 at the same resort amid bipartisan criticism.

That reaction has largely disappeared in today’s realigned Republican Party, where open dissent against the president has become rare.

with inputs from agencies