President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a tense meeting at the White House on Wednesday, playing videos and presenting documents he claimed showed evidence of a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa. The unannounced display unfolded in the Oval Office, dimmed for effect as Trump ordered aides to play a nearly five-minute video on screens that are not usually present in the room.
“We have thousands of stories talking about it. We have documentaries, we have news stories,” Trump said, before instructing aides: “Turn the lights on, and just put this on.”
The video, posted shortly afterwards to the White House’s X account with the caption “Proof of Persecution in South Africa,” featured scenes of white South Africans mourning at gravesites and clips of Julius Malema, a South African opposition figure, singing inflammatory songs. Ramaphosa, visibly caught off guard, turned to someone in his delegation and laughed. “Have they told you where that is?” he asked, before telling Trump he’d never seen the footage. Trump replied, “It’s in South Africa.”
Ramaphosa rejected Trump’s assertion, saying there is no white genocide in his country and reminding him that the victims of crime in South Africa are both black and white. “There is criminality in our country… people who get killed are not only white,” he said, adding that Malema does not speak for the government.
Trump also held up a stack of articles and photos, claiming they depicted murdered white South Africans. When asked what he wanted Ramaphosa to do, Trump simply said, “We’re going to talk about it.”
Ramaphosa, who arrived late for the meeting, told reporters he had come to “reset” US–South Africa relations. He brought golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen to the meeting at Trump’s request and even gifted the president a 14-kilogram book showcasing South African golf courses. “I’ve started practising,” Ramaphosa joked, “so I’m ready.”
Trump’s confrontation appeared planned, with prepared materials and aides ready to cue videos. Elon Musk, a South African-born adviser to Trump, was in the room and briefly acknowledged by the president. “This is what Elon wanted,” Trump said, though he later added that he didn’t want Musk directly involved in the debate.
South African Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, also present, said the government is committed to protecting all farmers and curbing crime, and reiterated that most farmers have no intention of fleeing the country.
“We have thousands of stories talking about it. We have documentaries, we have news stories,” Trump said, before instructing aides: “Turn the lights on, and just put this on.”
President Trump always brings the receipts. 🧾🧾🧾 pic.twitter.com/lokUUwqglP
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 21, 2025
The video, posted shortly afterwards to the White House’s X account with the caption “Proof of Persecution in South Africa,” featured scenes of white South Africans mourning at gravesites and clips of Julius Malema, a South African opposition figure, singing inflammatory songs. Ramaphosa, visibly caught off guard, turned to someone in his delegation and laughed. “Have they told you where that is?” he asked, before telling Trump he’d never seen the footage. Trump replied, “It’s in South Africa.”
🚨 JUST SHOWN IN THE OVAL OFFICE: Proof of Persecution in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/rER1l8sqAU
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 21, 2025
Ramaphosa rejected Trump’s assertion, saying there is no white genocide in his country and reminding him that the victims of crime in South Africa are both black and white. “There is criminality in our country… people who get killed are not only white,” he said, adding that Malema does not speak for the government.
Trump also held up a stack of articles and photos, claiming they depicted murdered white South Africans. When asked what he wanted Ramaphosa to do, Trump simply said, “We’re going to talk about it.”
Ramaphosa, who arrived late for the meeting, told reporters he had come to “reset” US–South Africa relations. He brought golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen to the meeting at Trump’s request and even gifted the president a 14-kilogram book showcasing South African golf courses. “I’ve started practising,” Ramaphosa joked, “so I’m ready.”
Trump’s confrontation appeared planned, with prepared materials and aides ready to cue videos. Elon Musk, a South African-born adviser to Trump, was in the room and briefly acknowledged by the president. “This is what Elon wanted,” Trump said, though he later added that he didn’t want Musk directly involved in the debate.
South African Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, also present, said the government is committed to protecting all farmers and curbing crime, and reiterated that most farmers have no intention of fleeing the country.
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