Trump, Ramaphosa Clash Over White Farmer Violence Claims in Oval Office

During a tense Oval Office meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump accused South Africa of committing targeted crimes and a so-called 'genocide' against white farmers, presenting videos and news articles to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as evidence. Ramaphosa strongly denied these allegations, emphasizing that there is no credible evidence of whites being specifically targeted and highlighting South Africa's efforts to address historical injustices like land reform. Trump criticized South Africa's 2023 law permitting land expropriation without compensation, claiming it led to violence against white farmers, while Ramaphosa rebutted that no one is being dispossessed unlawfully. The exchange underscored a strained U.S.-South Africa relationship, with Ramaphosa seeking to clarify the situation and improve bilateral ties amid these accusations. Experts concur that violent crime affects farmers of all races in South Africa, and the narrative of genocide against white farmers is widely regarded as false. Meanwhile, the U.S. has accepted some South African Afrikaners as refugees, adding complexity to the diplomatic dialogue.