The Documentary Podcast No, there isn't a ‘white genocide' in South Africa
On 12 May, 59 Afrikaners arrived in Washington to receive 'refugee' status. At a press conference, President Trump said he had acted because Afrikaners - the white minority community that ruled South Africa during apartheid - face an existential threat. His words echoed the views of his South African born former adviser, Elon Musk, who has repeatedly used his X platform to amplify false claims of a 'white genocide'. Many South Africans, including several Afrikaners that we have spoken to, dismiss the idea that they are under attack as wild misinformation. So where does the idea that white South Africans are being uniquely targeted come from? And what impact is it having on the diplomatic relationship between the White House and Pretoria? This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from BBC Trending in-depth reporting on the world of social media.
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Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Les Misérables cast boycott latest show with Trump appearance
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Donald Trump faced a boycott at the Kennedy Center for the debut performance of Les Misérables. In Washington, DC, on Wednesday night, Trump, 78, was among the guests at the Kennedy Centre for the performing arts, marking the first time the President had attended the event since his election in 2024. It was reported that several cast members opted out of performing as a way to boycott his attendance, meaning that understudies were likely called upon to step in. When asked about this form of defiance from the cast, Trump responded that he was unbothered. 'I couldn't care less. Honestly, I couldn't,' said Trump. 'All I do is run the country well.' Trump was booed and cheered as he arrived and took his seat next to his wife, Melania Trump. At the end of the intermission, it was reported that someone loudly cursed his name and drew applause from the audience. Drag Queens also appeared in the crowd, their presence was a silent protest against Trump's claims that the Center had hosted an excessive number of drag shows in the past. Earlier this year, Trump made himself chairman of the Kennedy Centre, firing the board of trustees and confirming that he would reduce the number of drag shows at the historically liberal space. In a post on X in February he announced: 'At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture. We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP! 'Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!' A response from the Kennedy Center at the time revealed that they had not received any communication from the White House about this, but were aware some members of their board had received termination notices. The Kennedy Center's statement continued: 'Per the Center's governance established by Congress in 1958, the chair of the board of trustees is appointed by the Center's board members. There is nothing in the Center's statute that would prevent a new administration from replacing board members; however, this would be the first time such action has been taken with the Kennedy Center's board.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video While at the event, Trump told reporters that he was a huge fan of Les Misérables. 'I've seen it, we've seen it, a number of times, it's fantastic. It was just about our first choice. That's what we got and we've got other ones coming, other great ones coming,' Trump said. More Trending Despite being a huge fan, the President was unable to answer basic questions about the plot, like whether he found himself relating to the villain or the hero of the play. The reporter asked the President if he felt more aligned with the ruthless Inspector Javert, or Jean Valjean, the former convict mercilessly hunted down by Javert for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family. 'Oh, that's a tough one, the last part of that question, that's tough, I think,' Trump said with a laugh. 'You better answer that one honey, I don't know.' Melania did not have a response for the reporter either. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Eva Longoria tearfully blasts Donald Trump's 'inhumane' immigration raids joining devastated celebrities MORE: British photographer films moment US police shoot him with rubber bullet MORE: TikTok star Khaby Lame with 162,000,000 followers flees US after being detained by ICE


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Elon Musk phoned Donald Trump to try and fix their feud after 'regretting' his scathing posts about the President
The apparent end of the feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk came after the Tesla boss place a call to the politician. The tech tycoon had been seeking to claw his way back into Trump's good side with a series of surprisingly positive social media posts about the President. Trump, meanwhile, continued to wish him 'well' - apparently taking notice and easing his threats to try to shred the government contracts held by Musk's companies. Now, it has been revealed that Musk phoned Trump late on Monday before he offered his public admission of regret, The New York Times reported. The moment came after Musk spoke on Friday with Vice President JD Vance and White House Chief Of Staff Susie Wiles, according to the Times. 'I regret some of my posts about President Donald Trump last week. They went too far,' Musk posted on Wednesday. Trump said on Saturday that he thought his relationship with Musk was effectively over, and at the weekend he warned of 'serious consequences' if the Tesla boss were to start financially supporting Democrats. It came after Musk described Trump's tax bill as a 'disgusting abomination'. By Monday afternoon, the day of the call, Trump was taking a softer tone. He told a New York Post podcaster he had 'no hard feelings '. When asked if he could ever bury the hatchet, Trump said: 'I guess I could. He went after a bill that's phenomenal, it's the best thing we've ever signed in this country. And when he did that I was not a happy camper. So, it's too bad.' Last month, Trump had presented Musk with a golden key to the White House, only to see their relationship blow up over a series of escalating attacks and threats. During a podcast appearance with Theo Von that aired on Saturday, Vance hinted at a potential truce. He said: 'Elon, he's an incredible entrepreneur. And look, man, I'm always going to be loyal to the president, and I hope that eventually Elon kind of comes back into the fold.' On Wednesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gave the first public reaction from Trump's side to Musk saying he went 'too far'. She said: 'The president acknowledged the statement that Elon put out this morning, and he is appreciative of it, and we are continuing to focus on the business of the American people.' She also didn't give any indication of a government-wide review of the multi-billion contracts for work Musk's companies do for the U.S. government. 'No efforts have been made on that front, as far as I'm aware,' Leavitt said. The rapprochement comes just days after Trump stashed his red Model S Tesla out of public view, in a tangible display of how the relationship had deteriorated. Hours after Trump introduced the idea that he may move his new car around 'a little bit,' the vehicle had vanished by Tuesday from the prime parking spot it had occupied on White House grounds since he purchased it. A White House official, pressed for details, refused to provide additional information to on its whereabouts, saying: 'We're not playing Where's Waldo. If you don't see it, you don't see it.' Trump was coy when a reporter asked him about the car on Monday after he spent the preceding days warring with Musk by threatening his government contracts. Musk had originally published and deleted a post saying the feds had additional information on Trump in the Jeffrey Epstein files and even suggested the President should be impeached. Trump said Musk would face 'serious consequences' if he backed Democrats, although the Tesla boss later appeared to be using his X account to try to claw himself back into Trump's good graces. Amid the threats and counter-threats, reporters wanted to know if Trump would keep the car and maintain the Starlink Internet service installed for the White House by Musk's DOGE aides, despite reported warnings by government security experts. The Tesla remains a fixation, and there were media reports Trump was considering selling it amid the astonishing breach with his former first buddy. 'No, I haven't heard that. I mean, I may move the Tesla around a little bit, but I don't think we'll be doing that with Starlink. It's a good service,' Trump responded. The car, which lists for about $80,000, has Florida tags, giving Trump more street parking options if he moves it back to Mar-a-Lago. He also could store the car at his nearby golf club just across the Potomac River in Sterling, Virginia. Trump says he paid for it with a check.


The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
LA protests: Los Angeles under curfew for second night with marines expected to be deployed
Update: Date: 2025-06-12T08:16:06.000Z Title: Content: Here is a Guardian graphic showing where the curfew in Los Angeles has been imposed. Update: Date: 2025-06-12T08:11:52.000Z Title: Marines to deploy on LA streets within two days with authority to detain civilians Content: US marines will join national guard troops on the streets of Los Angeles within two days, officials said on Wednesday, and would be authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration officers on raids or protesters who confront federal agents, reports Reuters. President Donald Trump ordered the deployments over the objections of California governor Gavin Newsom, causing a national debate about the use of the military on US soil and animating protests that have spread from Los Angeles to other major cities, including New York, Atlanta and Chicago. Los Angeles on Wednesday endured a sixth day of protests that have been largely peaceful but occasionally punctuated by violence, mostly contained to a few blocks of the city's downtown area. The protests broke out last Friday in response to a series of immigration raids. Trump in turn called in the national guard on Saturday, then summoned the marines on Monday. 'If I didn't act quickly on that, Los Angeles would be burning to the ground right now,' said Trump at an event at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. According to Reuters, the US military said on Wednesday that a battalion of 700 marines had concluded training specific to the LA mission, including de-escalation and crowd control. They would join national guard under the authority of a federal law known as Title 10 within 48 hours, not to conduct civilian policing but to protect federal officers and property, the military said. 'Title 10 forces may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances such as to stop an assault, to prevent harm to others, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties,' the northern command said. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement: If any rioters attack Ice law enforcement officers, military personnel have the authority to temporarily detain them until law enforcement makes the arrest.' US army Maj Gen Scott Sherman, who commands the taskforce of marines and guardsmen, told reporters the marines will not carry live ammunition in their rifles, but they will carry live rounds. More on this story in a moment, but first here is a summary of the latest developments: A curfew came into effect for the second consecutive night in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, where police used horses and munitions to disperse protesters. Police declared the gathering near city hall unlawful shortly before the curfew, and began firing and charging at protesters shortly afterwards. Donald Trump was booed and cheered while attending the opening night of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center, his first appearance there since becoming president and appointing himself chair. All 12 members of the prestigious Fulbright program's board resigned in protest of what they describe as unprecedented political interference by the Trump administration, which has blocked scholarships for nearly 200 American academics. David Hogg will not run again for a vice-chair position at the Democratic National Committee, after members voted to void and re-do his election. The move ends months of internal turmoil over Hogg's outside activism, particularly his vow to primary 'asleep-at-the-wheel' Democrats. Los Angeles county district attorney Nathan Hochman said media and social media had grossly distorted the scale of protest violence. 'There are 11 million people in this county; 4 million of which live in Los Angeles city. We estimate that there's probably thousands of people who have engaged in legitimate protest, let's say 4,000 people,' Hochman said.