Trump confronts South Africa's Ramaphosa in Oval Office
Trump showed a video depicting hate speech and alleged genocide against white farmers.
In a tense Oval Office meeting, former US President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over land seizures and violence targeting white farmers, straining what began as a cordial visit aimed at boosting economic ties.
Trump showed a video depicting hate speech and alleged genocide against white farmers, and accused Ramaphosa’s government of ignoring these attacks and confiscating land without justice.
Ramaphosa responded calmly, condemning violent chants from minority political groups and emphasizing that crime affects all South Africans regardless of race.
He also highlighted South Africa’s commitment to racial reconciliation, invoking Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
The exchange echoed the sharp confrontation Trump had with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, but with a notable difference, Ramaphosa kept his composure and sought dialogue rather than a shouting match.
To underline his point, Ramaphosa introduced Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, a white South African, who stressed that most farmers intend to remain despite the challenges.
When asked about the possibility of white farmers leaving the country, Ramaphosa deferred to Steenhuisen, who said, "most farmers wanted to stay."
The South African president acknowledged the need to tackle crime as a public safety issue and suggested that US technology might assist in combating the problem.
While Ramaphosa may not secure the trade deals he hoped for, he managed to maintain a working relationship amid a difficult encounter.
On another topic, when asked if he would attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, Trump dismissed the event’s significance without the US, saying the G20 is “not very important” without American involvement.
Ramaphosa countered by emphasizing the US's foundational role in the G20 and expressed hope that the US would continue to lead as it prepares to take over chairing the group next year.
He said South Africa was "overjoyed" to hand over the summit to the US.
