• HBCU

by Daniel Johnson

July 28, 2025

Cam Newton Says It’s Time For ESPN To Give HBCUs The Gameday Spotlight

Newton says he can bring the same kind of spotlight to HBCU football programs that Pat McAfee brings to college football programs.

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Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton wants to bring an HBCU-focused College Gameday experience to ESPN, which he pitched during a recent episode of his podcast “4th and 1 with Cam Newton.”

According to Sports Illustrated, in Newton’s opinion, he believes that he can bring the same kind of spotlight to HBCU football programs that Pat McAfee brings to college football programs–minus the controversy that McAfee courts–during his appearances on ESPN’s flagship College Gameday program and his own show, which ESPN hosts, but does not produce.

“Give Cam Newton a Pat McAfee-like deal… You talk about the content, then you can start showing the tailgates, the student section. When it comes to box offices, I can show you what’s interesting about HBCUs. Well, you talking about the content? Which one of these members of the media is willing to go into the student section? I am. This is the sweetest gig in sports,” Newton noted.

He continued, “I wanna be a part of the Black College Football Gameday. You get me to the Tuskegee, the Savannah States, the Tennessee States, the Jackson States, the Morgan States, the North Carolina Centrals, the North Carolina A&Ts, the North Carolina A&M — Alabama A&M. My personality is lively. It’s so much to tell about the college experience that I would love to be a part of it.”

Although Cam Newton certainly has star power, his pitch is contingent upon network bosses at ESPN recognizing the value of a program centered around HBCUs, taking up valuable media real estate like The Pat McAfee Show or First Take, which did a number of HBCU road shows in 2024.

Although specific ratings numbers for those shows aren’t available, clips of the appearances shared by ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe were popular on social media sites.

For Newton to secure such a deal, however, he will have to prove his worth to ESPN executives, not necessarily the value of programming centered around HBCUs.

As a 2023 press release from ESPN notes, McAfee’s $85 million multiyear licensing deal with the network came about because of his ability to leverage his show’s popularity. If Newton wants that type of deal, he needs to turn his podcast into appointment new media, similar to what McAfee was able to do with his show.

“Pat is a proven talent. He and his team have built The Pat McAfee Show into one of the most engaging programs in sports and all of media,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in the press release. “It’s a destination for athlete interviews and breaking news, and the centerpiece of a growing community of sports fans. We’re honored to bring Pat and the show to ESPN through a multifaceted, multiplatform approach.”

To that point, Newton’s podcast only has 500K followers on YouTube, while McAfee’s show has more than 2.9 million, a stark contrast that any studio executive would point to if they were asked for a deal in the range of or with a similar structure to McAfee’s deal.

While Newton’s idea would undoubtedly be good for the visibility of HBCU sports, perhaps Newton should seek to pivot and turn segments of his podcast into a showcase for HBCUs that he envisions, so he can both create value in the eyes of network executives and exposure for the storied HBCU programs he seems to have an affinity and respect for.

RELATED CONTENT: Sports And Legacy Go Live: Southwestern Athletic Conference Streaming Platform Debuts Aug. 1

• Arts and Culture

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 28, 2025

From Essence To EBONY: Cori Murray Is The New Executive VP Of Editorial Content

Cori Murray is bringing her award-winning storytelling skills to EBONY Magazine’s executive team.

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Award-winning journalist Cori Murray is joining EBONY Magazine as the legacy brand’s newest executive vice president of Editorial Content.

After 23 years at ESSENCE, including a two-year run as the magazine’s Deputy Editor from 2020 to 2022, Murray is taking her talents to EBONY, where she’ll serve as a “proud steward” in “moving Black forward,” she shared in an Instagram announcement.

“Eighty years ago, John H. Johnson and his wife Eunice Johnson built @ebonymagazine to amplify Black stories,” Murray wrote. “Today, in my new role as EVP, editorial content, I’m a proud steward of this legacy brand as it continues chronicling our voices and moving Black forward. Stay tuned for what’s ahead!”

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A 2022 recipient of Black Women in Film’s ElevatHER Award for her dedication to telling “the untold stories of Black women,” Murray has dedicated herself to the art of journalism with a special focus on Black culture. Under Murray’s leadership, ESSENCE made history by winning its first American Society for Magazine Editors National Magazine Award for Photography in April 2022 and featuring a same-sex couple on its cover for the first time in its 52-year history.

Murray’s creative touch shaped ESSENCE’s Black Women in Hollywood Awards and its Oscars’ Week events, while her insights on the brand’s cultural impact were featured in the OWN docuseries Time of Essence and the two-time Webby-nominated Yes Girl! podcast. A respected cultural critic and member of the African American Film Critics Association, the Hampton University graduate has shared her expertise on Good Morning America, Access Hollywood, CNN, and MSNBC, and has also appeared in Ava DuVernay’s 2010 documentary My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women in Hip Hop.

A true cover story powerhouse, Murray has penned standout features for InStyle, Women’s Health, and EBONY, while also contributing to The Hollywood Reporter, Emmys.com, Apartment Therapy, and WWD’s Beauty Insider. Most recently, she featured the legendary Angela Bassett on the cover of EBONY in May, a taste of the star power and storytelling she’s set to bring in her new leadership role.

RELATED CONTENT: Ebony Magazine Forced Into Involuntary Bankruptcy

• Travel and Leisure

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 28, 2025

Black Americans Move To Kenya In Act Of ‘Reverse Migration’ To Find Shared Heritage

Many are headed to Kenya to reclaim their roots and escape the anti-blackness found in America.

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Black Americans are now “coming home” to Kenya to reconnect with their shared heritage.

The “reverse migration” effort has grown in popularity over recent years. Black Americans have established their own businesses and ventures to build a new life in Kenya. The move helps this demographic, with many only knowing an ancestral history of enslavement, forge a new legacy and reclaim their roots.

It also grants them a new perspective on life outside of America. In the United States, systemic and blatant racism still plagues society across many aspects. However, white supremacy persists globally and does not entirely fade in Africa.

Despite this, the move does offer a glimmer of freedom and hope for expatriates needing a break. In the East African nation, Blackness is the majority, and where one’s melanin is the norm.

One expatriate, Kenneth Harris, says his move to Nairobi, Kenya, stems from two factors. Not only does the nation’s weather feel serene, but also its people.

“I have always had that adventurous spirit, especially when I joined the military and got to go to different countries. So I am taking the opportunity to venture out to new places,” he told Politico. “That is what allowed me to make a home away from home, and Kenya is my new home.”

Some have followed paths like Harris to make the big move and create their own living through entrepreneurial efforts. From travel agencies to Airbnbs and restaurants, the country makes it possible for those with capital to launch a new venture.

Others, however, may seek refuge elsewhere to evade the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. As they feel the current president jeopardizes the livelihoods of Black people, going to the continent where they originally derived from seems like the optimal next step.

While Harris does not know people personally relocating for an escape from political turmoil, he believes Kenya offers a different quality of life that many could find invaluable.

“I can’t say the administration is the reason why the people I know want to part ways from America. Some are planning to move for a better quality of living life,” Harris said.

However, Kenya is not the only country with a wave of Black American expatriates. Since its launch in 2019, Ghana’s “Year of the Return” program has helped thousands of Black Americans gain citizenship in the West African nation.

Others have found purpose in helping potential expatriates make the jump to Africa, such as Adliah Relocation Services. The company’s founder, Adilah Mohammad, has noticed the rising shift. Now, she helps people make their dream of living in Kenya a reality.

In turn, these nations will also benefit from having the “reverse migration” of Black Americans. Not only does the population shift help with the perception of these nations, but it could also help fix corruption, making investments in these countries even more ideal.

Beyond this, the move helps bridge the gap within the diaspora, ensuring all Black people can feel safe, supported, and uplifted on the continent.

“For me, it is a movement,” shared Mohammad. “It is people deciding to make a choice for themselves, they are not being forced, shackles are being broken. When they say they are coming home, they are choosing to be free and it is mental freedom and so I am ecstatic.”

RELATED CONTENT: These Black Celebs Are Now Ghanaian Citizens As African Nations ‘Year Of The Return’ Program Expands

• Legal

by Daniel Johnson

July 27, 2025

Fired After Speaking Up? Former Major League Soccer Exec Sues For Racial Retaliation

Shine's lawsuit alleges that MLS supervisors retaliated against him by firing him in May 2025 after he made complaints about racial discrimination.

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A lawsuit against Major League Soccer was filed by Cedric Shine, a former employee of the company, on July 18. In Shine’s lawsuit, which was filed in New York’s Southern District Court, he alleges that both MLS and Soccer United Marketing retaliated against him by firing him in May 2025 after he made complaints about racial discrimination Shine experienced during his tenure as a director of cultural marketing.

According to the lawsuit, during much of the period in question, between December 2020 and his eventual firing in May 2025, Shine also served as the co-chair of MLS’ resource group for its Black employees, Pitch Black.

The lawsuit also sets forth a chain of events related to the decision to fire another Black director of marketing, one of the few in the company, Justin Cox. Per Shine’s complaint, after Cox was fired, MLS supervisors hired a white man with less experience in the marketing department than Shine in a role that the company had previously told Shine that he would get.

Shine determined that this development was, at the very least, problematic, and took his complaint directly to MLS’ Human Resources department.

After his complaint, MLS brass made the decision to hire Shine in the role anyway, disregarding the objections of his supervisors in the process, which the lawsuit indicates did not sit well with them. Shine’s lawsuit alleges that his supervisors engaged in a campaign of retaliation against him.

Shine took note of the various forms of retaliation and took his complaints to MLS’ human resources department, but nothing was done about the retaliation.

Instead of facilitating a meeting with MLS Deputy Commissioner Gary Stevenson to solve these problems, the lawsuit alleges that the company both permitted and condoned the plan of Shine’s management team to fire him, which the lawsuit sets forth was a violation of his civil and human rights, under New York City Human Rights Law.

According to the lawsuit, “As a result of MLS’s conduct, Shine has suffered the adverse effects of unlawful retaliation, the quality of his life has been irreparably damaged and his self-esteem, self-respect, and well-being have been irreversibly harmed because he has been subjected to the humiliating and demeaning type of conduct described herein, all of which will continue to be a source of humiliation, distress, and financial loss to Shine.”

The lawsuit continued, “MLS acted with willful or wanton negligence, or recklessness, or a conscious disregard of Shine’s rights under, among other things, the New York City Human Rights Law, and its unlawful actions against Shine were so reckless as to amount to a disregard of Shine’s rights. Accordingly, in addition to damages inflicted upon Shine, MLS should be required to pay punitive damages as punishment for its discriminatory and retaliatory conduct to deter it and others similarly situated from engaging in such conduct in the future.”

In addition to the damages that Shine is seeking from both MLS and Soccer United Marketing, Shine is seeking a trial by jury instead of leaving the interpretation of his grievances to a judge.

Major League Soccer, meanwhile, has denied that Shine’s allegations are legitimate and has pledged to fight his lawsuit, adding that it is committed to equity and inclusion in a statement the organization issued to The New York Post.

“Shine’s allegations of retaliation have no merit and the League intends to vigorously defend the recently filed lawsuit,” MLS said before touting its commitment “to providing an equitable and inclusive environment.”

RELATED CONTENT: USA Soccer Legend Tim Howard Joins Houston Dynamo Ownership Group

• News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 27, 2025

Black Women Are Most Burdened By ‘Pay To Stay’ Prison Debt, Report

Black women account for 83% of those paying off prison fees.

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It is no secret that Black people are disproportionately incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails, but a new report reveals another burden placed on Black people within the criminal justice system.

Prison debt, the cost accumulated when people enter and stay at penitentiaries, reportedly impacts Black women the most. The debt often stems from room and board and medical expenses while detained. Axios reported that owed money entraps these women into cycles of poverty over their inability to pay it back.

The Prison Policy Initiative confirmed 37% of the local jail and state prison inmates identify as Black. With this number in mind, those handling their prison debt are often the Black women left outside.

Currently, 48 states allow charging incarcerated people with “pay to stay” fees, with 42 states legalizing room and board charges. While these fees can be subtracted from wages earned from prison jobs, the low pay typically doesn’t cover the cost.

Most are expected to pay off these debts shortly after their release, or have their families pay it down. However, wages also significantly drop once someone is released, with the numbers even lower for women. According to a survey by the Fine and Fees Justice Center, Black women account for 83% of those paying off these fees.

Advocacy group Campaign Zero collected this data on the lesser-known issue of paying off prison debt. Their findings revealed how this impacts Black families and other families of color, especially considering the systemic incarceration of these groups.

“We were the first to put this issue on the map — people were talking about mass incarceration, but no one was talking about families having their college funds and inheritances seized,” said Brittany Friedman, a USC sociologist and consultant for Campaign Zero.

Incarceration fees were enacted in the 1970s as a way to alleviate the costs of jails within state budgets. The cost of prison was then placed on the prisoner and their families. These fees range beyond room and board, with some even accounting for public defenders, probation supervision, and phone calls.

The debts usually pile on, leaving probation officers or debt collectors to get the money back. These methods also end up using taxpayer dollars to recover the fees. In fact, the fees end up costing more than they bring in. This inefficiency and ethical concerns have led to new legislation from a few states that eliminate or waive these fees that are crushing Black families.

RELATED CONTENT: Family Seeks Justice After Corrections Officers Break Inmate’s Neck, Starve Him to Death

• Sports

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 27, 2025

Claressa Shields Announces Free Agency After Heavyweight Championship Win

Shields solidified her status as a free agent and heavyweight champion with her latest win.

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Claressa Shields has announced free agency after her latest win made her the heavyweight champion.

Shields defeated Lani Daniels to secure her belt July 26 at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena. Now, Shields wants to further her legacy under a new agent. The “GWOAT” revealed that she is open for new representation as the No. 1 women heavyweight boxer in the world.

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According to Sports Illustrated, the 30-year-old announced the news during her post-fight interview. She recognized how her growth in women’s boxing has led to thousands traveling to see her fight, leading her to embark on a new journey within the sport.

“I want to thank every one of my fans who purchased tickets, flights, drove here,” Shields said. “This is my dream, to have over 16,000 people here means so much.”

She will step away from Salita Promotions, her longtime agency, to see what else is on the horizon for the undefeated boxer.

 “I love Salita and this is my guy,” she added. “But I want to make the biggest fights and the best fights.”

With Salita, Shields’ career has earned her over 18 major championship wins, spanning five weight classes. The current heavyweight champ can now explore all her options to get bigger gains for her value in boxing.

Shields is already one of the most notable names in boxing, even beyond the women’s realm. Her life story and rise to Olympic glory were depicted in 2024 film The Fire Inside.

As for her next steps in free agency, the two frontrunners to sign Shields include Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions as well as Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season. Paul’s management team already has other undisputed world champions under its portfolio, such as Alycia Baumgardner and Savannah Marshall. Her signing with Paul could lead to even bigger fights and stages, which would also accompany bigger payouts.

However, Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season could offer an immense signing bonus with the Saudi’s hefty financial backing. They could also launch a historic fight between Shields and a legendary, yet currently retired, women’s boxer. Laila Ali has already hinted at a potential return if given the right fight, something that could take women’s boxing to even greater heights, especially due to her longtime beef with Shields.

RELATED CONTENT: It’s Going Down: Claressa Shields To Defend Heavyweight Title Against Lani Daniels

• Politics

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 27, 2025

Trump Threatens To Prosecute Kamala Harris, Oprah In Latest Epstein Scandal Distraction

Trump has accused the former Vice President of paying for celebrity endorsements during her 2024 presidential campaign

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Trump has unleashed his newest round of distractions, this time going after Kamala Harris and Oprah, as he seemingly tries to quiet the chatter surrounding his involvement in the Epstein files.

Trump has accused the former Vice President of paying for celebrity endorsements during her 2024 presidential campaign. He went on Truth Social to emphasize his claims that Harris paid her high-profile supporters, such as Beyoncé, Oprah, and Al Sharpton, to speak during her campaign trail.

“YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO. Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them. All hell would break out,” wrote the President, as reported by The Hill.

He continued, “Kamala, and all of those that received Endorsement money, BROKE THE LAW. They should all be prosecuted! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Trump then spouted figures of how much each celebrity allegedly earned for their speaking engagement, including a lofty $11 million to Beyoncé and $3 million to Oprah. However, all parties have adamantly denied receiving any money to voice their support for Harris and her historic campaign.

Trump’s campaign did receive $288 million in donations from Elon Musk for the 2024 election, according to The Washington Post.

According to The Daily Beast, his verbal attacks then extended to Oprah as he promoted the conspiracy theory regarding Harris. He noted how she attended Harris’ final rally before the November election, threatening potential legal action against her.

The suggested prosecution comes as Trump and his team try to distract his voter base away from the Epstein files controversy. Despite calls to reveal the files to the public, Trump has thus far refused to do so, with many under suspicion that his name remains prominent within them.

This diversion follows another one prompted by Trump’s director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. Recently, as BLACK ENTERPRISE reported, Gabbard sought to prosecute former President Barack Obama and his former officials for allegedly falsifying intel on Russian election interference.

As for his attacks on Oprah, the former media friends have been on the outs since Trump launched his political career. In November 2024, Trump called the OWN founder a “major divider” for the country.

RELATED CONTENT: Listen To Congressman Hank Johnson’s Very Loud Song For Leaders To Release Epstein Files 

• News

by Daniel Johnson

July 27, 2025

Army Veteran Grandmother Hailed As A Hero After Stopping Woman From Storming Cockpit Mid-Air

A video of Nicole Pruitt preventing a woman trying to break into the cockpit has gone viral.

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Nicole Pruitt, a Georgia grandmother and former Army soldier, stepped in to stop a passenger from storming the cockpit during her July 16 Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Tucson, because no one else was doing anything to control the situation.

According to WSB-TV, Pruitt was flying to Tucson to see her newest grandchild when she noticed another passenger having a strange conversation.

“She didn’t want to be on the plane no more, she said God told her to do it, she had a calling. And I’m just like wait a minute. I don’t know about this conversation you got going on but, not today,” Pruitt recalled.

“Nobody else was doing nothing, so I just knew I had to do something,” Pruitt told CNN’s Tucson affiliate KOLD. “I’ve got to make it home to my kids, my children, my grandchildren.”

While Pruitt was in the air, helping to stop a woman who seemed to be having a mental health issue, her son, Tyrique Perry, was on the ground, anxiously awaiting news of her flight.

“Those are kids on that plane that have a whole life to live, those are grandparents on that plane, just people full of life and potential,” Perry told the outlet.

Once he found out that his mother was the passenger who stopped a woman from entering the plane’s cockpit, Perry was not surprised.

“Not surprised. Sometimes, it’s just a natural instinct and you’ve got to get it done,” Perry noted.

Perry then posted a video of his mother detaining the woman to his TikTok account, where it nearly instantly went viral and has since accumulated over 1.2 million views.

According to Delta Air Lines, after the passenger was subdued and secured, the pilot turned the plane around and headed back to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Eventually, the plane took off again and made its way to Tucson, nearly three hours after it was scheduled to arrive.

The airline also provided a statement, thanking the passengers and crew who helped de-escalate the situation, and apologizing to their customers for the incident.

“Delta sincerely appreciates the actions of our crew and customers for de-escalating the situation. We apologize to our customers for the delay and thank them for their understanding,” the airline stated.

According to Delta spokesperson Stan Heaton, medical personnel were on the scene when the plane arrived and law enforcement was notified, but Heaton told The Arizona Republic that he was not sure if the woman who tried to charge the cockpit multiple times was detained by officers or not.

The outlet tried to contact Pruitt for comment on July 23, but as she was traveling back to Atlanta from Tucson, and was unavailable. The outlet tried to reach her again on the following day, but Pruitt did not respond to a phone call from the newspaper.

RELATED CONTENT: Passengers Evacuated From Delta Flight. After Engine Catches Fire At Orlando International Airport

• Entertainment

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 27, 2025

How Beyoncé Boosts Economy In ‘Cowboy Carter’ Tour Stops Across U.S. Cities Like Las Vegas

The singer's presence in U.S. cities has come with a significant economic boost, especially relevant for the struggling Vegas.

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Beyoncé is doing more than bringing country chic to cities as part of her Cowboy Carter tour. The singer is also boosting the economy within these tour stops.

The singer has finally ended her high-grossing tour with two shows in Las Vegas. However, a common denominator for each show has been how fans contribute to the local economy. From merch and events to an influx of travelers coming for the concert, Beyoncé’s impact on each city remains felt.

This continued influence continued to her last shows in Sin City. The BeyHive flocked to Nevada ahead of her performance at Allegiant Stadium. Before the show itself kicked off July 25 and 26, fans began to celebrate the occasion with line dancing and purchases of cowboy hats, hand fans, and more.

“You gotta get everything: the shoes to match, the shirt. It’s everything, you gotta go all out,” shared one concertgoer to KTNV.

Another BeyHive member is down thousands for her Cowboy Carter experience. While this mainly stemmed from two-night floor seats, others are well into the thousands for their entire stay.

“For me, I’m over $5,000. I’m 2-night, floor seats both nights,” said a Beyoncé fan Thursday.

Many of the Vegas attendees’ “Beyoncé budget” will include spending in the city, helping a relatively slow tourism period. Restaurateurs and hotel owners hope for a major uptick in customers due to the influx of people. The news outlet has already reported a decline in hotel stays for the area, with Smith Travel Research confirming hotel occupancy in Las Vegas fell 14.9% in June. A major contributor to this reduction stems from a smaller number of international visitors, which also dropped over 13% last month.

To withstand the changes, many service industry businesses have reduced hours for part-time workers or conducted hiring freezes. However, many of these establishments hope for a boost of cash as Beyoncé’s tour has already brought in millions to local economies of other cities.

Beyoncé broke venue records in Atlanta when the singer held a four-night consecutive show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The singer’s presence encouraged attendees to take part in the surrounding activities. Furthermore, they make sure they are picture-perfect for the event, which often means being patrons of local service providers. The end result is a significant boost in profits for local businesses.

“Few events have the kind of impact that Beyoncé’s performances brought to Atlanta last week,” explained Vice President for Communications for Metro Atlanta Chamber, Abby Turano, to USA Today. “Whether you’re looking through a creative and cultural lens or an economic one, hosting tens of thousands of fans — many wearing new cowboy hats and boots — and filling Mercedes-Benz Stadium four nights in a row is extraordinary.”

The official merchandise truck for Beyoncé’s Vegas shows already confirmed over $1 million in sales each day. As for other major cities with only two-night shows, Houston officials also confirmed a $50 million economic boost when Beyoncé came to town.

RELATED CONTENT: Beyoncé Grants Viral Grandmother’s Wish With Cowboy Carter Tour Tickets

• Politics

by Daniel Johnson

July 27, 2025

Trump Refugee Policy Was Meant For White South Africans Only, Internal Email Reveals

Top U.S. diplomat in South Africa asked Trump officials if repatriation program included non-white applicants.

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Earlier in July, the top U.S. Embassy official in South Africa reached out to Trump administration officials to find out whether the controversial repatriation program, which so far has been used only by white South Africans, was also open to non-white applicants who met the eligibility criteria. However, despite the official position from the U.S. State Department that it is, a Trump administration official responded to their request by informing the official that the program was intended for whites only.

According to Reuters, the February executive order from Donald Trump that established the program only set forth that it was intended for “Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination,” a term generally used to describe South Africans who are descended from Dutch settlers.

However, when the U.S. Embassy’s Charge d’affaires, David Greene, asked if the program is open to people of mixed race, who are referred to as “colored” in South Africa, Spencer Chretien, the highest ranking official at the State Department’s refugee and migration bureau, replied in an email that the program is not open to anyone but white South Africans.

When Reuters reached out to the State Department for confirmation on July 18, the department did not specifically address Chretien’s comments but it did indicate that the scope of the policy is wider than he indicated to the U.S. Embassy official, parroting a claim on the state department’s website that applicants for the program “must be of Afrikaner ethnicity or be a member of a racial minority in South Africa.”

According to the report, this is the first known account of tensions between the U.S. Embassy and the State Department, highlighting the confusion that can arise when enforcing a racially restrictive policy in a racially diverse country like South Africa, where both mixed-race Afrikaans speakers and white English-speaking South Africans reside.

Despite a campaign promise from Trump to crack down on immigration and a freeze on refugee applications from around the world, Trump also said after retaking the White House that the United States would only accept immigrants who “can fully and appropriately assimilate,” a statement that seems to hint at a discriminatory refugee policy.

In February, Trump issued an executive order that echoed far-right claims that white South Africans have been discriminated against by the Black majority in South Africa. Although these claims have been rejected by the South African government, Trump’s executive order stated that Afrikaners are victims of “violence against racially disfavored landowners.”

Officially, the White House, per a statement from a Trump administration official, is sticking with the official line that the policy is not racially restrictive, even though most of the people who have been resettled are white.

“We will prioritize refugee admissions for South African citizens, including Afrikaners and other racial minorities in South Africa, who have been targeted by the discriminatory laws of the South African government,” the White House official told Reuters.

Despite this assertion, as Pauline Bax, the African program deputy director for the International Crisis Group, told News Nation in April, white South Africans are not refugees, despite language in Trump’s order placing them in that category.

“Maybe they will have more economic opportunities than they think they have here in South Africa, but the idea that they will be refugees is completely false. There is no persecution. The fact of the matter is that South Africa had an apartheid system where whites dominated politics, they dominated the economy, and even low-skilled white people, mostly Afrikaans, who didn’t have many prospects, could easily get a state job…It’s just not true,” Bax said.

RELATED CONTENT: South African President Keeps Cool As Trump Pushes Bold Claims Of ‘White Genocide’