Trump confronts South Africa's Ramaphosa with baseless claims of systematic killing of white farmers

Euronews

22-05-2025

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US President Donald Trump used a White House meeting to forcefully confront South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing the country of failing to address Trump's baseless claim of the systematic killing of white farmers.
In an astonishing display, Trump even dimmed the lights in the Oval Office to play a video of a far-left politician singing a song with the lyrics 'kill the farmer.'
He also reviewed news articles to emphasise his argument, stating that the nation's white farmers have encountered 'death, death, death, horrible death.'
Trump had previously terminated all US aid to South Africa and extended a welcome to numerous white South African farmers, granting them refugee status in the United States, while advocating the notion that a "genocide" is unfolding in the nation.
The 47th US president has initiated a series of allegations against the Black-led government of South Africa, asserting that it is confiscating land from white farmers, implementing policies that are discriminatory towards whites, and adopting a foreign policy that is antagonistic towards Washington.
'People are fleeing South Africa for their own safety,' Trump said. 'Their land is being confiscated and in many cases they're being killed.'
President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington
Evan Vucci/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved
According to experts in South Africa, there is no evidence to suggest that whites are being specifically targeted due to their race; however, farmers of all ethnic backgrounds are victims of violent home invasions in a nation with a notoriously high crime rate.
Ramaphosa countered Trump's allegations, aiming to clarify the situation and restore South Africa's ties with the United States. The bilateral relationship currently stands at its lowest level since the end of apartheid in 1994.
'We are completely opposed to that,' Ramaphosa said of the behaviour alleged by Trump in their exchange. He added, 'that is not government policy' and 'our government policy is completely, completely against what he was saying.'
Trump quickly countered saying 'When they take the land, they kill the white farmer.'
The US president appeared prepared to confront Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, a scene which has been of frequent occurrence since Trump and Vice President JD Vance shouted at visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a few months ago.
President Donald Trump greets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved.
Videos were cued on a large television screen to display a segment featuring Julius Malema, the leader of an opposition party, performing a classic anti-apartheid song.
The song has sparked controversy in the nation for many years due to its provocative lyrics, which include the phrases 'kill the Boer' and 'shoot the Boer,' with 'Boer' denoting a white farmer. Malema, who appears in the video, is not affiliated with the current governing coalition.
Another segment displayed white crosses along a roadside, identified as a tribute to white farmers who have lost their lives. Ramaphosa appeared perplexed, stating, 'I'd like to know where that is, because this I've never seen.'
The references made by the Trump administration to the Afrikaner population, which descends from Dutch and other European settlers, have further amplified earlier assertions put forth by Trump's South African-born advisor Elon Musk and various conservative commentators in the United States.
President Donald Trump meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington
Evan Vucci/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved
These claims suggest that the South African government is permitting assaults on white farmers, which they constitute as a form of genocide.
Ramaphosa entered the meeting aiming to steer clear of the contentious interactions that Zelenskyy faced during his February visit. That unfortunate meeting concluded with White House officials requesting Zelenskyy and his team to vacate the premises.
After the heated discussion captured by the media, Trump invited Ramaphosa for a luncheon and additional discussions. Ramaphosa, addressing reporters after his visit to the White House, downplayed Trump's criticisms, asserting that their private conversation did not focus on the US president's concerns regarding white farmers.
'You wanted to see drama and something really big happening,' he said, 'And I'm sorry that we disappointed you somewhat when it comes to that.'