U.S President, Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met at the White House in a tense and closely watched encounter that saw Trump confronting Ramaphosa with widely discredited claims of a “genocide” against white farmers in South Africa.
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump accused white South African farmers of “fleeing South Africa” and presented video footage and photographs to support his claims. Ramaphosa firmly denied that white South Africans face persecution and challenged Trump on the evidence.
When asked what he expects Ramaphosa to do about the situation, Trump replied, “I don’t know.”
The meeting, arranged with the help of South African golfing icons Johann Rupert and Ernie Els, both personal acquaintances of Trump, also touched on broader issues, including trade relations and efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Elon Musk, a South African-born billionaire and Trump ally known for promoting similar claims about the farmers, was present at the meeting.
Ramaphosa described the visit as a “real joy” and emphasized South Africa’s commitment to peace, drawing on the legacy of Nelson Mandela.
The meeting, however, was marked by sharp exchanges and an unusual “ambush” style presentation by Trump, who appeared prepared with materials intended to pressure Ramaphosa on the sensitive issue.
The accusations of white farmer persecution and genocide have been widely dismissed by experts and South African officials as unfounded and misleading.
