South African President Meets Trump at White House with Golf Legends to Ease Bilateral Tensions

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the White House to meet with President Donald Trump amid strained U.S.-South Africa relations, particularly over trade issues and Trump's claims of a 'white genocide' against Afrikaners, which Ramaphosa denies. To help ease tensions and build rapport, Ramaphosa brought notable South African golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, leveraging Trump's avid interest in golf. The delegation also included businessman Johann Rupert and South African-born Elon Musk, who has supported Trump's allegations and criticized South African policies. The meeting reflected attempts by South Africa to reset bilateral ties and discuss trade, though no substantive compromises were reportedly made by South Africa. Els spoke on the importance of U.S. support for South Africa's progress, while Goosen shared personal experiences, highlighting the delegation's effort to humanize their country amid political tensions. Trump's playing of clips alleging racial persecution and his prior actions, such as cutting aid and offering refuge to white Afrikaners, underscore the fraught nature of the relationship.