Trump Confronts South Africa's Ramaphosa Over White Farmer Persecution Claims

During a tense Oval Office meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over claims of persecution and violence against white farmers in South Africa, a narrative widely disputed by experts and the South African government. Trump emphasized that many white farmers are fleeing South Africa due to safety concerns, even showing video footage as evidence, while Ramaphosa rejected these accusations, stating there is no state-sanctioned persecution or genocide. The South African leader suggested that Trump would need to listen to South Africans, including those close to the U.S. president, to understand the reality and dispel the genocide narrative. The meeting reflected strained U.S.-South Africa relations, which have worsened amid disputes over land reform policies, refugee status granted to white South Africans by the U.S., and cuts in HIV/AIDS funding. Despite the confrontation, Ramaphosa aimed to salvage bilateral ties, emphasizing opposition to violence and the need for dialogue. The ongoing dispute highlights the complex political and racial tensions between the two countries and the differing perspectives on land and safety issues in South Africa.