Tension as Trump plays controversial ‘genocide’ video during meeting with South Africa’s Ramaphosa

What began as a diplomatic meeting quickly turned controversial when former U.S. President Donald Trump blindsided South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House with a graphic video montage alleging a “genocide” against white farmers in South Africa.

The dramatic moment unfolded in the Oval Office after a seemingly cordial exchange. Trump, after praising South African golfers present, had the lights dimmed and played a compilation of footage showing what he claimed were the graves of over a thousand white farmers. “It’s a terrible sight… I’ve never seen anything like it. Those people are all killed,” Trump said, flipping through printed articles and repeating “death, death” as he pointed to alleged victims.

The footage, which the White House later posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, included inflammatory clips of South African officials and controversial politician Julius Malema chanting anti-apartheid songs with lyrics referencing the killing of farmers. Trump alleged the South African government was not only ignoring the issue but also complicit in land seizures and violence. “These are people that are officials and they’re saying… kill the white farmer and take their land,” Trump claimed.

President Ramaphosa, visibly calm and largely silent during the presentation, later dismissed the allegations at a press conference. “There is just no genocide in South Africa,” he declared, firmly rejecting the narrative pushed by Trump.

Addressing the controversial clips, Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa is a multi-party democracy where political expression is constitutionally protected. “What you saw, the speeches being made, that is not government policy,” he said. “Those are a small minority party’s views, not reflective of our government’s stance.”

Despite the tense exchange, Ramaphosa maintained diplomacy, telling reporters the three-hour meeting went “very well.” However, the moment echoed Trump’s previous ambush of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reinforcing his combative and unorthodox diplomatic style.

The South African government has long refuted claims that white farmers are being systematically targeted, arguing that crime in the country affects all racial groups. Trump’s assertions have previously drawn criticism for amplifying fringe narratives and stoking racial tensions.