By Spy Uganda
In a dramatic and unusually tense Oval Office meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with discredited conspiracy theories about land seizures and so-called “white genocide” in South Africa—a move that cast a shadow over Ramaphosa’s attempt to repair strained ties between the two nations.
Ramaphosa had arrived in Washington with a clear agenda: to reset diplomatic and trade relations with the U.S. following Trump’s suspension of aid to South Africa, his administration’s offer of refuge to white Afrikaners, and the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador. With trade high on the agenda—especially as South Africa faces a possible 30% tariff under Trump’s import policies—Ramaphosa had hoped for constructive dialogue.
Instead, the meeting quickly turned confrontational.
Oval Office Ambush
Sources say Ramaphosa was prepared for a tough reception. He brought a high-profile delegation that included white South African golf legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as billionaire Johann Rupert. The gesture was likely intended to highlight the racial diversity and reconciliation efforts within South Africa’s business and sporting communities.
But Trump had other plans.
In a staged presentation that caught observers off guard, Trump dimmed the Oval Office lights and played a video depicting white crosses—suggested to be graves of white farmers—and controversial clips of South African political figures, including opposition leader Julius Malema. Trump demanded Malema’s arrest and claimed the video was proof of racial persecution.
The footage, however, originated from a 2020 protest in response to a double murder on a farm. The white crosses shown were symbolic, not actual grave markers. Trump also flipped through a stack of printed news articles, repeatedly stating “death, death,” and handed them to a visibly restrained Ramaphosa.
“We have people fleeing South Africa for their own safety. Their land is being confiscated, and in many cases, they’re being killed,” Trump claimed, echoing a conspiracy theory long circulated in far-right circles online, often amplified by South African-born billionaire Elon Musk—who was present in the room.
Ramaphosa Pushes Back
Remaining composed throughout the presentation, Ramaphosa rebutted Trump’s claims. “If there was Afrikaner farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here,” he said, gesturing toward Els, Goosen, and Rupert.
He emphasized that South Africa’s new land reform laws, while controversial, allow for expropriation without compensation only in cases that serve the public interest—such as underutilized land—and are subject to judicial review. To date, no such seizures have occurred.
Ramaphosa reminded Trump that crime in South Africa overwhelmingly affects the Black population. According to 2024 police records, 26,232 murders were reported nationwide—only 44 linked to farming communities, and just eight of those involving farmers.
Trump remained unmoved. “The farmers are not Black,” he cut in.
Ramaphosa continued: “These are concerns we are willing to talk to you about.” He invoked Nelson Mandela’s legacy of peace and reconciliation, hoping to steer the conversation toward constructive diplomacy.
Undeterred, Trump Doubles Down
Trump appeared unmoved by Mandela’s example, instead likening the current South African situation to “the opposite of apartheid.” He insisted, “It has to be responded to,” referencing what he called “thousands of stories” about white South Africans under threat.
Vice President JD Vance, who previously clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the same office three months prior, observed in silence. The repeated confrontational pattern under Trump’s administration is raising concern among foreign leaders, many of whom may now reconsider the optics of visiting the White House.
A Poised Exit
Unlike Zelenskiy, who exited early during his turbulent encounter, Ramaphosa remained calm and diplomatic. He praised the aesthetics of the Oval Office—lavishly redecorated under Trump—and expressed optimism about his upcoming G20 chairmanship. Trump did not confirm whether he would attend the G20 meeting in South Africa in November.
Later in the meeting, Johann Rupert spoke up to support Ramaphosa, noting that crime affects all communities in South Africa, and many Black South Africans are also victims.
Despite the heated exchange, Ramaphosa tried to refocus attention on trade. He told reporters afterward that discussions had taken place regarding critical minerals and that South Africa had submitted a proposal involving the importation of U.S. liquefied natural gas.
But when asked directly about Trump’s claims, Ramaphosa was unequivocal:
“There is just no genocide in South Africa.”
The extraordinary encounter showcased the vast political and ideological gulf between the two leaders—and left lingering questions about the future of U.S.–South Africa relations under Trump’s presidency.
