In a startling deviation from standard diplomatic protocol, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly blindsided South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a White House meeting by presenting a controversial video that Trump claimed evidenced a campaign of violence against white South African farmers — even referring to it as genocide and suggesting it was prompting an exodus to the United States.
What is typically a measured and formal occasion inside the Oval Office was abruptly transformed into a platform for Trump’s contentious narrative that white citizens in South Africa are being systematically targeted.
With members of the press observing and President Ramaphosa often unable to interject, Trump directed his aides to project the video on a large screen. The footage, according to Trump, featured black South Africans discussing acts of violence — a portrayal he asserted validated his claims, despite widespread criticism and concerns over the veracity and implications of such rhetoric.
“They’re white farmers, and they’re fleeing South Africa, and it’s a very sad thing to see. But I hope we can have an explanation of that, because I know you don’t want that,” Trump said.
Ramaphosa repeatedly tried to speak but was drowned out. At one point, he pleaded that they “talk about it very calmly.”
“We were taught by Nelson Mandela that whenever there are problems, people need to sit down around the table and talk about them. And this is precisely what we would also like to talk about,” he said.
The visit by the South African leader was billed as a chance to smoothen relations following vociferous — and unfounded — genocide claims by Trump and his billionaire, South African-born ally Elon Musk, who was also in the Oval Office.
“We are essentially here to reset the relationship between the United States and South Africa,” Ramaphosa said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived at the White House accompanied by an unexpected trio: golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, along with the country’s richest man, Johann Rupert. Their presence was widely seen as a strategic gesture aimed at appealing to former President Donald Trump’s well-known passion for golf.
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The inclusion of the three high-profile Afrikaners in Ramaphosa’s delegation came on the heels of a symbolic development: approximately 50 Afrikaners had recently arrived in the United States, reportedly responding to Trump’s controversial offer of “refuge.” The invitation stood in stark contrast to his broader immigration policies, which had severely restricted the entry of asylum seekers from most other regions.
In addition to diplomatic overtures, Ramaphosa was also expected to engage in economic diplomacy. Reports indicated that his administration was preparing to offer tech magnate Elon Musk a deal to establish operations for Starlink — Musk’s satellite-based internet service — within South Africa.
However, the gesture comes amid tensions. Musk, who was born in South Africa, has publicly criticized the country’s post-apartheid economic reform laws — specifically Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies — labeling them as “openly racist.” These policies, designed to address historical inequalities, are seen by some international firms as regulatory hurdles, particularly when it comes to licensing and operations.