"Trump Insulted Mandela," Nelson Mandela Foundation Expresses Anger

Koan "Trump mentioned Mandela, saying 'All countries ruled by black people are a mess'"

Nelson Mandela Statue. Photo by Nelson Mandela Foundation website capture.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa expressed outrage over revelations that U.S. President Donald Trump disparaged Mandela, South Africa's first Black president.

On the 7th (local time), the Mandela Foundation stated in a press release on its website, "We take note of the remarks President Trump reportedly made about Nelson Mandela and other African leaders, as detailed in Michael Cohen's book 'Disloyal'."

The Mandela Foundation pointed out, "We do not believe that leaders who behave like President Trump are in a position to make authoritative comments on the life and achievements of Madiba (a term of respect for Mandela)."

On the 5th, excerpts from Cohen's book published by The Washington Post (WP) included a passage where "President Trump, while complaining about former Black President Barack Obama, lumped Mandela in as well, saying 'countries ruled by Black leaders are all a mess,' and even claimed that the apartheid era (South Africa's Black discrimination policy) was better."

Cover of "Disloyal," the memoir of former Trump butler Cohen, revealing secrets, to be published on the 8th

Cohen served as President Trump's personal lawyer, fixer, and gatekeeper for about a decade but turned against him in 2018 by cooperating with the special counsel investigation into the 'Russia scandal.' Cohen's book, 'Disloyal: A Memoir ? The True Story of Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s Former Personal Lawyer,' is set to be published on the 8th.

The Mandela Foundation quoted Madiba's words, saying, "A great leader can engage honestly and thoroughly in debate because, in the end, they know that they and their opponent will come out closer and stronger." They criticized, "When you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed, you cannot think this way."

They added, "We recommend that President Trump take these words to heart."

Meanwhile, Mandela became the first Black president in 1994, ending the white minority regime that enforced racial segregation, and governed South Africa until 1999. He passed away in 2013.

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