TRUMP-RAMAPHOSA MEETING TURNS CONTENTIOUS OVER “WHITE GENOCIDE” CLAIMS
A recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took an unexpected turn when Trump launched into a lengthy and choreographed onslaught of accusations about alleged persecution of white South Africans.
The meeting, which was meant to discuss diplomatic issues and trade policy, quickly turned contentious when Trump was asked about what it would take for him to be convinced that claims of “white genocide” in South Africa are untrue. Ramaphosa responded calmly, saying the president would have to “listen to the voices of South Africans” on the issue.
However, Trump had other plans. He asked an assistant to “turn the lights down” and put the television on, showcasing a video that included footage of South African political firebrands chanting “Shoot the Boer”, an anti-apartheid song. Trump also seemed to believe that political leaders in the footage had the power to confiscate land from white farmers, which is not the case.
Ramaphosa remained composed throughout the ordeal, making quiet and short interventions. He also brought two top golfers, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, to the meeting, which seemed to please Trump. The golfers, along with Ramaphosa’s white agriculture minister, appeared to serve as a kind of diplomatic shield, deflecting some of the tension.
At one point, Ramaphosa referred to the golfers and an Afrikaner billionaire who had joined his delegation, telling Trump: “If there was Afrikaner farmer genocide, I can bet you, these three gentlemen would not be here.”
Despite the provocations, Ramaphosa didn’t rise to the bait, and the meeting ultimately ended without any major breakthroughs. However, Trump’s efforts were likely not in vain, as his performative style of diplomacy is often aimed at a domestic audience.
The meeting highlights the challenges foreign leaders face when dealing with Trump’s unpredictable nature. As one observer noted, some leaders are learning to navigate these moments with skill, and Trump may need to adjust his approach to maintain his desired impact.
