Trump-Ramaphosa Meeting Erupts Over Debunked ‘White Genocide’ Claims

WASHINGTON — What began as a high-stakes diplomatic meeting between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa quickly devolved into controversy on Tuesday, after Trump used the Oval Office stage to amplify widely debunked claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa. The encounter, originally meant to strengthen U.S.-South African trade and security cooperation, transformed into a political ambush.

During the televised part of the meeting, Trump presented edited footage of Julius Malema, the fiery leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), making incendiary comments about land redistribution. Trump claimed that white farmers in South Africa are facing a “systematic attack” and accused Ramaphosa’s government of ignoring the situation.

“This is genocide,” Trump declared, referencing a video montage produced by far-right American media outlets. “We will not stand by while this happens to innocent people because of the color of their skin.”

Ramaphosa, visibly unsettled but composed, firmly rebutted the claims.

“Mr. President, there is no white genocide in South Africa,” Ramaphosa responded. “Crime affects all South Africans, but the largest victims are Black South Africans. This is not a racial campaign; it is a socioeconomic challenge rooted in our past.”

His remarks echoed findings from South Africa’s Human Rights Commission, which reported earlier this year that farm murders, while tragic, are not racially motivated nor disproportionately targeting white farmers. Independent analyses by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have similarly rejected the genocide narrative as unfounded and politically weaponized.

The Origins of “white genocide” Myth

The “white genocide” theory gained traction in American right-wing circles around 2018, fueled by internet conspiracy forums and amplified by personalities such as Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk. Trump’s endorsement of the theory in 2018 via Twitter, when he instructed then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to investigate land seizures in South Africa, was met with international condemnation.

Since then, the South African government has repeatedly clarified that its land reform initiatives are constitutional and inclusive. Furthermore, in February 2025, South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled that rhetoric invoking “white genocide” is “false, inflammatory, and rooted in racist ideology,” warning against its use as a diplomatic weapon.

A Staged Encounter?

Sources close to Ramaphosa’s delegation revealed that the South African president had not been briefed on Trump’s intention to confront him with the propaganda video. One diplomat described it as “a planned humiliation attempt disguised as a bilateral meeting.” Trump aides reportedly delayed the formal agenda to make room for the video presentation, which some media experts likened to a campaign-style stunt.

The video’s content included spliced clips of violent crime scenes, Malema’s most provocative speeches, and a narrator’s voice alleging “ethnic cleansing” of white South Africans. The footage omitted crucial data: according to South African Police Service statistics, white citizens account for less than 8% of murder victims annually, while Black citizens account for over 85%.

Disinformation about “white genocide” overshadows Diplomacy

While Ramaphosa attempted to redirect the conversation to trade relations, energy partnerships, and education exchange programs, the meeting never recovered. He presented Trump with a signed book on South African golf courses, a nod to the former president’s well-known passion, but the preceding tension overshadowed the gesture.

“The intention was to strengthen ties,” said South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, “but what we witnessed was a politicized spectacle based on lies. It was disappointing.”

Critics have accused Trump of using the meeting to appeal to his conservative base ahead of the 2026 midterms, where immigration, race, and “global white victimhood” are again flashpoints.

What’s at Stake

The diplomatic fallout may be substantial. South Africa is a key partner in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and a gateway for U.S. investment in southern Africa. By allowing debunked theories to dominate the discourse, analysts fear Trump risks undermining bilateral trust.

“This was not just a slap in the face to South Africa,” said Dr. Nompumelelo Zondi, a political analyst at the University of Pretoria. “It was a reminder of how disinformation, when legitimized by world leaders, can unravel years of diplomatic goodwill.”

As misinformation continues to shape global narratives, the exchange in the Oval Office served as a stark warning: truth, when manipulated, becomes a weapon, not just against nations, but against the very ideals of international cooperation.