Trump Hosts South African President Ramaphosa Amid Diplomatic Tensions

President Donald Trump hosted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House amid strained relations between the two countries, largely due to Trump's accusations that South Africa is committing a genocide against white farmers and seizing their land without compensation. Trump has cut all U.S. assistance to South Africa in response to these claims and welcomed 49 white Afrikaner farmers to the U.S. as refugees, a move criticized by Democrats who dispute the allegations of racial persecution. Ramaphosa sought the meeting to clarify his country's position and work toward repairing diplomatic ties, emphasizing the need to reset and revitalize bilateral relations. The talks included a lunch and Oval Office meeting, reportedly attended by Elon Musk, a South African native and Trump ally, as well as key U.S. officials. While Trump framed the meeting with a transactional approach focused on economics and leverage, tensions remain high due to conflicting narratives about South Africa's domestic policies and their impact on minority communities. Both leaders faced domestic and international scrutiny as they navigated this complex diplomatic encounter.