What went wrong during Ramaphosa - Trump meeting? | Africanews
Somewhere in the middle of a discussion, U.S. President Donald Trump dimmed the lights, cued a video reel of violent imagery, and confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a narrative long dismissed as conspiracy: the so-called "white genocide" in South Africa.
This scene switched what started as a smooth diplomatic dialogue to what many have described as a diplomatic ambush, one that stunned observers, shocked Pretoria, and exposed a troubling trend in modern geopolitics. Trump’s move has since sparked global backlash, reignited racial tensions, and raised urgent questions about how disinformation is shaping foreign policy in the 21st century.
A surprised President Ramaphosa firmly rejected the accusations, stating that South Africa’s policies oppose such actions. He emphasised that while crime exists in South Africa, it affects all citizens, predominantly Black, and there is no targeted violence against white people.
The claim of a "white genocide" targeting South African farmers has been widely discredited by experts and human rights organisations. Data from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and independent analysts indicate that farm attacks are part of the country's broader crime challenges and are not racially motivated.
SAPS crime statistics for the third quarter of 2024/2025 reported 12 farm murders between October and December 2024, with only one victim identified as a white farmer. The remaining victims included farm dwellers, workers, and a security guard. This data contradicts narratives suggesting a targeted campaign against white farmers.
Despite this, the narrative has been propagated by far-right groups and figures, including South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk. Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, recently drew criticism for unsolicited information on white genocide, further fueling the controversy.
The meeting's confrontational nature has strained U.S.–South Africa relations. President Ramaphosa expressed disappointment over the lack of diplomatic protocol, stating that such matters should be addressed through established channels.
In response to South Africa's land expropriation policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, President Trump signed an executive order cutting all funding to South Africa and promoting the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees in the U.S.
These actions have raised concerns about the future of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a key trade agreement between the U.S. and African nations. Experts fear that the diplomatic rift could jeopardise preferential access to the U.S. market for South African goods.
The Oval Office meeting between President Trump and President Ramaphosa was intended to foster stronger bilateral relations and address mutual concerns. Instead, it became a platform for unverified claims and confrontational rhetoric, undermining diplomatic norms and straining international relations.
