Egypt Daily News – During a meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday, President Donald Trump showed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa a series of video clips and news articles related to attacks on white farmers in South Africa. The move, which caught many by surprise, appeared aimed at confronting Ramaphosa with Trump’s concerns over what he has described as a “white genocide.”
President Ramaphosa had traveled to Washington in an effort to improve strained relations with the Trump administration. The U.S. had previously canceled aid to South Africa, expelled its ambassador, and offered refuge to some Afrikaners, a white minority group in the country.
Trump has publicly suggested that race-based violence is occurring in South Africa, a claim supported by figures such as Elon Musk, who was born in the country. Musk was present in the Oval Office during the meeting.
As the discussion began, Ramaphosa tried to ease tensions by presenting Trump with a golf book and mentioning his own efforts to improve his golf game. He was joined by well-known South African figures, including professional golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, and businessman Johann Rupert.
However, the tone shifted when Trump asked for the lights in the room to be dimmed and played a montage of videos featuring Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). One of the clips included a controversial song used at rallies: “Shoot the Boer, Shoot the Farmer.” Trump also presented several news clippings, including an article from the Daily Mail reporting on white South Africans leaving the country due to crime and government policies seen as discriminatory.
“These are articles from the past few days – death, horrible death,” Trump said, flipping through the materials in front of the cameras. He told Ramaphosa, “I’ll give these to you. When you ask, ‘What would you like to do?’ I don’t know what to do for this.”
At one point, Trump referenced video footage of the Witkruis Monument, a memorial that honors farmers of all races who have died in rural attacks. Ramaphosa appeared unfamiliar with the specific location.
Trump continued pressing the issue: “These are officials saying ‘kill the white farmer and take their land.’” He questioned why figures like Malema had not been arrested for their rhetoric. Ramaphosa responded by emphasizing South Africa’s democratic framework, noting that Malema’s views do not reflect government policy and that his party is a small minority allowed under the constitution.
Trump then accused the South African government of permitting land seizures. “They take the land, they kill the white farmer, and when they kill the white farmer, nothing happens to them,” he claimed.
Ramaphosa pushed back, explaining that crime affects all South Africans and that the majority of violent crime victims are black. “There is criminality in our country,” he said. “It’s not only white people who are victims.”
The exchange took an additional turn when NBC News reporter Peter Alexander asked Trump why the U.S. was offering refuge to white South Africans while rejecting asylum seekers from places like Afghanistan and Venezuela. Trump criticized the network, calling it “fake news,” and reacted angrily when Alexander brought up a Qatari plane recently donated to the U.S. military.
“There are white farmers being buried and he asks about a jet,” Trump said. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”
Ramaphosa attempted to lighten the mood. “I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” he joked. Trump replied, “I wish you did.”
Johann Rupert, when invited to speak, acknowledged that violence in South Africa affects all communities and said the country needed technology support, including access to Starlink and drones, to help with policing and conservation efforts.
“We need your help to stop this killing. But it’s across the board,” Rupert said.
Despite the tense moments, Ramaphosa offered a positive summary of the meeting as he left the White House. “Very well,” he told reporters. When asked whether he thought President Trump had listened, he replied, “Yes he did, it went very well.”
