Veteran Broadcaster Gareth Cliff Weighs In on Trump’s Decision Not to Attend the G20 Summit in SA

• South African broadcaster Gareth Cliff shared his thoughts on US President Donald Trump's decision not to attend the G20 Summit, which is being hosted by SA
• Cliff posted that Trump's non-attendance will downgrade the summit into an "also-ran talk-shop"
• The G20 is a global forum that brings together the world’s major developed and developing economies to address international economic and financial challenges

South African veteran broadcaster Gareth Cliff recently reacted to the United States of America's President Donald Trump's decision not to attend the upcoming G20 summit hosted in Mzansi.

On Wednesday, 30 July 2025, the former Idols SA judge, who criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa in June 2025, chose to share his opinions on Trump not attending the G20 summit simply because it is being hosted in South Africa.

"Of course, Trump won’t come to the G20, which, by virtue of him not attending it, becomes instantly downgraded to an also-ran talk-shop," Cliff wrote.

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See the post below:

Netizens react to Gareth's opinion

Shortly after the star reacted to Donald Trump not attending the G20 summit, many netizens flooded the comment section with their responses. Here's what they had to say:

@LandryMutombo said:

"What are we to do now that God isn’t coming to G20?!"

@NgamlaJo wrote:

"Trump has never been in Africa and will make every excuse in the book to never set foot here ever, and we are okay with it!"

@mnyani_siphe86 commented:

"Trump has never come and will never come to Africa. Hence, he wants white people to go to the US. I’m surprised you haven’t taken that offer…"

@naldotjie responded:

"Relax. The G20 doesn’t need Trump’s fast-food wisdom to be valid. The man skipped intelligence briefings like they were leg day. SA isn’t downgraded - he’s just ducking global responsibility like he ducked the draft."

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What is a G20 Summit?

The G20, or Group of Twenty, is a global forum that brings together the world’s major developed and developing economies to address international economic and financial challenges. In 2025, the G20 Summit will be held in Africa for the first time, following the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member.

The summit is set to take place in Johannesburg in November, after Brazil’s presidency in 2024. The G20 consists of 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The summit is guided by three key leadership structures: representatives of national leaders, who focus on broad socio-economic issues; finance ministers and central bank governors, who deal with global economic matters; and engagement groups, which include non-governmental stakeholders that help shape policy recommendations.

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What you need to know about America and the G20 in South Africa

• In February 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he would not attend the G20 Summit.
• A political analyst said that President Trump's decision to skip the G20 Summit in November is not a surprise.
• On 12 February, Trump said that he was not yet a guaranteed attendee at the G20 Summit in November.
• In April 2025, the delegation from the US did not attend the G20 Working Group 2025 meeting in South Africa.
• In May 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he expected Trump to attend the G20 Summit following their meeting.

Trump claims terrible things are happening in South Africa

Briefly News reported on 3 February 2025 that Trump said he was cutting all funding to South Africa. The President of the USA was unhappy after the Expropriation Bill was signed into law by President Ramphosa.

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Donald Trump to skip G20 meeting in South Africa, maintains that some citizens are being persecuted

Trump said that he made the decision because terrible things were happening in the country.

Gareth Cliff fumes over state of Pretoria

In other news about Gareth Cliff, Briefly News reported that veteran radio and TV personality Gareth Cliff is fuming over the dilapidated state of Pretoria and has suggested a new name for the city. Gareth Cliff is known for weighing in on matters of national importance. The Gareth Cliff Show host recently shared his thoughts on the state of Pretoria as shown in a TikTok video, and he didn’t hold back.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News