South Africa shocked by remarks attributed to President Trump about Nelson Mandela

US President Donald Trump during a press conference on September 4, 2020 at the White House.

REUTERS / Leah Millis

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2 min

The book by the American Michael Cohen, former lawyer for Donald Trump, was released this Tuesday, September 8.

In his book he describes President Trump as "incompetent", "egocentric", "liar", but also "racist", especially with regard to Nelson Mandela.

The remarks reported by Michael Cohen and attributed to Donald Trump do not pass in South Africa.

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In his memoirs

Michael Cohen reports that after the death of Nelson Mandela in 2013, Donald Trump would have praised apartheid and asked him: " 

Name me a black president who is not an asshole?"

 "And the American president would have added" 

Mandela screwed up the country.

Fuck Mandela.

He was not a leader.

 "

These words immediately caused a reaction.

The ANC, the party of Nelson Mandela, in power in South Africa, condemns these " 

derogatory remarks

 ".

Trump is a divisive, misogynistic and disrespectful man,

 " wrote the ANC in a statement.

All freedom-loving peoples are appalled by these insults coming from a person who is not, himself, a model of competent leadership

 ", according to this press release which also notes a " 

striking contrast

 " between Trump and Mandela who “ 

understood the value of international friendships

 ”.

For its part, the White House denies and considers that Michael Cohen is a " 

liar who wants to publicize

 ".

But the President of the United States is not at his first attempt.

In 2018, he had already called

some African 

countries

 “

shitty countries

.

After an outcry on the continent, he finally met Rwandan President Paul Kagame, then head of the African Union, to try to renew ties.

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  • United States

  • South Africa

  • Nelson Mandela

  • Donald trump