President Donald Trump stirred diplomatic tensions on Wednesday during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa by unexpectedly playing a controversial video in the Oval Office, alleging that white farmers in South Africa are victims of genocide.
The surprise move disrupted the usual calm of a high-level bilateral meeting, turning the occasion into a platform for Trump to revive unfounded claims that white South Africans, particularly farmers, are being persecuted and forced to flee the country.
“They’re white farmers, and they’re fleeing South Africa. It’s very sad to see,” Trump said while the video played, claiming it showed black South Africans talking about genocide. “I hope we can have an explanation, because I know you don’t want that.”
President Ramaphosa, visibly unsettled, tried several times to respond but was interrupted. At one point, he appealed for calm: “We were taught by Nelson Mandela that whenever there are problems, people need to sit down around the table and talk. And this is precisely what we would also like to do.”
Ramaphosa’s visit to Washington was intended to mend strained ties following earlier “white genocide” remarks made by Trump and echoed by billionaire Elon Musk, who was present at the meeting. The South African leader brought along prominent figures including golfing icons Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, and billionaire Johann Rupert, in a charm offensive aimed at engaging the golf-loving U.S. president.
The delegation’s timing was significant, coming just days after about 50 Afrikaners reportedly accepted Trump’s controversial offer of “refugee status” in the U.S., even as his administration restricts asylum for other groups globally.
There are also strong indications that South Africa may offer Elon Musk a deal to operate his Starlink satellite internet service in the country. Musk, a South African-born U.S. citizen, has repeatedly criticized South Africa’s black economic empowerment laws, describing them as “openly racist” and a barrier to Starlink’s licensing.
Trump’s second-term administration has taken a hardline stance on several South African policies, including Pretoria’s legal challenge against Israel at the International Court of Justice and a recent land expropriation law aimed at redressing apartheid-era land ownership imbalances. Washington has also slashed aid to South Africa, imposed steep tariffs, and expelled its ambassador following criticisms of the MAGA movement.
Land reform remains one of South Africa’s most contentious issues. Although white South Africans make up less than 8% of the population, they still own a significant majority of the country’s farmland. The land expropriation law, signed in January, allows for the redistribution of land without compensation, but Ramaphosa insists it will be implemented fairly.
Claims of targeted killings of white farmers have been pushed by right-wing Afrikaner groups, though South African police statistics show that most violent crime victims are young black men in urban areas.
Despite the tense exchange, Ramaphosa maintained his diplomatic posture, reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to strengthening ties with the U.S. “We are here to reset our relationship,” he said.
