Boost For Cyril Ramaphosa As Trump Dumps Elon Musk Ahead Of Crucial Talks With South Africa

Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Washington receives support as Trump distances himself from Musk
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s significant visit to Washington has been given an unexpected boost as US President Donald Trump has distanced himself from billionaire Elon Musk ahead of crucial US-SA discussions.
Trump, who previously praised Musk as a vital government ally, has reportedly removed the billionaire’s name from his social media platform, Truth Social. According to Politico, Trump has not mentioned Musk since early April, despite frequently posting about him in previous months.
“He’s finished, done, gone. He polls terribly. People hate him,” a Republican insider informed Politico.
Trump’s shift in attitude towards Elon Musk
Elon Musk was a central figure in Trump’s campaign and governance strategy until recently. Musk was appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and led controversial cuts across federal agencies.
Now, even Trump’s advisers and fundraising emails have gone silent regarding the billionaire.
“At the beginning, I was here in D.C. seven days a week for some of the weeks,” Musk told Politico. “It’s just been a very intense 100 days… the amount of time that is necessary for me to spend here is much less.”
The decision to sideline Musk follows a decline in public opinion polls and criticism of his campaign appearances. Reports suggest that his attempts to win over voters in Wisconsin backfired.
Ramaphosa’s successful diplomatic move
While Musk’s influence in Washington declines, Ramaphosa has achieved what many are calling a diplomatic victory.
Ramaphosa arrived in Washington on Monday, May 19, 2025, for a Working Visit aimed at “resetting and revitalizing bilateral relations between South Africa and the United States,” according to a statement from the Presidency.
“The visit will specifically focus on reframing bilateral, economic, and commercial relations,” the statement mentioned.
Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, following a challenging period between the two nations. South Africa came under scrutiny for its associations with Russia, China, and its position on the Gaza conflict.
Trump’s strong rhetoric towards South Africa escalated after Elon Musk accused the country of hindering Starlink, his satellite internet venture, with unfair regulatory obstacles. South Africa, however, claims it is seeking compliance with laws mandating 30% local ownership or equivalent commitments.
“The South African government has proposed a flexible approach,” as reported by the Daily Maverick, suggesting initiatives like establishing training centers and supporting community projects.
Johann Rupert’s role behind the scenes
South African billionaire Johann Rupert played a crucial role in the breakthrough. Sources indicate that Rupert used his influence with Trump to facilitate diplomatic engagements.
“Rupert is a true patriot… he urged Trump to cease the nonsense and engage with Ramaphosa,” a Capitol Hill source informed the Daily Maverick.
Rupert is reportedly already in Washington and is expected to be part of Ramaphosa’s delegation, which includes key ministers such as Lamola (International Relations), Ntshavheni (Presidency), Tau (Trade), Steenhuisen (Agriculture), and special envoy Mcebisi Jonas.
As Trump distances himself from Musk and warms up to Ramaphosa, the South African president may find himself in a stronger position than expected to secure a new economic agreement.