‘Trailer trash’ post costs South African national his US visa amid Trump crackdown
In revoking the US visa, the State Department declared that it had ‘no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans’.
South African media personality Nhlamulo “Nota” Baloyi has had his United States visa immediately revoked by the State Department following controversial comments he made on social media regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Baloyi’s US visa was cancelled pursuant to section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act on 29 September 2025, due to information indicating he may no longer be eligible to travel to the US.
The State Department flagged a post from the South African national mocking Americans’ grief, stating they were “hurt that the racist rally ended in attempted martyrdom” and alleging Kirk “was used to astroturf a movement of white nationalist trailer trash”.
The revocation arrived on the same day US President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to Charlie Kirk, on what would have been his 32nd birthday.
Baloyi, whose deleted X (formerly Twitter) post referred to Kirk’s supporters as “Neanderthals,” has since issued an apology. While he acknowledged the post was “insensitive & ill-timed”, he categorically denied intending or implying that he was making light of the incident. Baloyi also noted his conservative leanings and declared himself “a supporter of President Trump”.
However, the US government remained firm in its sweeping action, declaring explicitly that it had “no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans”.
Six US visas revoked
In total, the State Department announced the revocation of six US visas, targeting foreigners who allegedly celebrated the “heinous assassination”. The crackdown includes nationals from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Germany and Paraguay.
The State Department stated clearly that it “will defend our borders, our culture, and our citizens by enforcing our immigration laws” and removing “aliens who take advantage of America’s hospitality” while celebrating the death of citizens.
Party for late Charlie Kirk
The Medal of Freedom ceremony, held in the newly-renovated White House Rose Garden, honoured Kirk, the Turning Point USA co-founder who Trump hailed as “a giant of his generation”. Kirk – who previously misled his audience about South Africa’s “racist and dangerous policy of murdering white farmers” – was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on 10 September. Trump told Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, that he would “never forget what your family has sacrificed for our country”.
The aggressive stance against foreigners’ online remarks highlights a significant expansion of social media scrutiny across the US.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau previously directed consular officials to take action against those “praising, rationalising, or making light of the event” and urged internet users to report such comments.
This policy follows the US government revoking more than 6,000 student visas this year, particularly targeting international students supporting certain protests. The State Department is actively enforcing immigration laws against anyone perceived to be glorifying violence.