Ramaphosa Defends South Africa Amid Trump’s False Claims of ‘White Genocide’ at Oval Office Meeting

In what quickly turned from a diplomatic meeting to a dramatic exchange, U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with unfounded claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa during a high-stakes Oval Office meeting this week.

President Ramaphosa had hoped the visit would ease growing tensions between the two countries, particularly after Trump froze aid to South Africa, expelled its ambassador, and criticized Pretoria’s genocide case against Israel. But the meeting instead spotlighted conspiracy theories that have long circulated in far-right circles.

An Orchestrated Confrontation

With the Oval Office lights dimmed, Trump played a provocative video showing white crosses and fiery political speeches, claiming they were evidence of targeted killings of white farmers. In reality, the video was filmed during a protest and the crosses were symbolic—not actual graves.

Flipping through a stack of printed articles, Trump declared, “People are fleeing South Africa. Their land is being confiscated, and in many cases, they’re being killed.” Among those backing the narrative was Elon Musk, a South African-born U.S. billionaire and Trump ally, who was present at the meeting.

Ramaphosa Pushes Back

Despite the highly charged environment, President Ramaphosa remained composed. Flanked by notable white South Africans like golfers Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, and billionaire Johann Rupert, he countered Trump’s assertions, saying, “If there was Afrikaner farmer genocide, I can bet you, these three gentlemen would not be here.”

Ramaphosa noted that while crime is a serious concern in South Africa, the vast majority of victims are Black. Of over 26,000 recorded murders in 2024, just 44 were linked to farming communities.

“There is just no genocide in South Africa,” Ramaphosa stated firmly.

A Broader Political Agenda

The myth of a white genocide in South Africa has been widely discredited but continues to be used by some political groups in the U.S. and abroad. Trump’s renewed focus on the issue drew criticism for fueling racial tensions and undermining South Africa’s democratic transition post-apartheid.

Observers compared the incident to Trump’s previous Oval Office ambush of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, suggesting a troubling pattern in his foreign diplomacy.

Trade Talks and Damage Control

After the confrontation, Ramaphosa pivoted to trade, highlighting opportunities in critical minerals and energy. His delegation submitted a proposal to boost U.S.-South Africa trade, including purchasing liquefied natural gas.

Still, the diplomatic damage may linger. Trump refused to confirm if he would attend the G20 summit in South Africa later this year. Analysts say the incident could discourage foreign leaders from engaging with Trump directly.

As South Africa works to address its domestic challenges, from land reform to economic development, the country’s leaders now face an added burden: correcting dangerous misinformation at the highest levels of international power.

{Source: Reuters}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com