Trump Confronts Ramaphosa Over Alleged South Africa White Farmer Violence

During a tense Oval Office meeting, former U.S. President Donald Trump accused South Africa of a "white genocide," presenting misleading multimedia evidence against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who calmly refuted these claims. Trump's assertions relied on false and misattributed images and conspiracy theories, which were widely debunked by news agencies and contradicted by Ramaphosa's responses emphasizing racial coexistence in South Africa. Trump's grievances also targeted South Africa's land reform policies aimed at redressing apartheid-era inequalities, although experts note these reforms are moderate and the white minority still holds most land. While reports from the U.S. State Department acknowledge violent attacks on white farmers, these crimes are largely attributed to high overall crime rates rather than racially motivated campaigns, challenging the "white genocide" narrative. The episode reflects a regression to racially charged rhetoric, undermining South Africa's efforts at reconciliation and the complex realities of its post-apartheid challenges. Ramaphosa's dignified stance highlighted the ongoing pursuit of racial harmony in the face of external political exploitation.