After what happened with Zelensky and Cyril Ramaphosa, world leaders are reconsidering visits to the White House - many say the coveted invitation is now a political ambush
The White House invitation is losing its diplomatic charm. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa faced a surprise confrontation with US President Donald Trump. Trump raised concerns about attacks on white farmers in South Africa. Ramaphosa refuted claims of genocide, emphasising that crime affects all communities. He clarified that Black citizens are the majority of victims.
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Changing Nature of White House Invitations
Donald Trump Ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa Over Far-Right Conspiracy
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Once seen as a symbol of diplomatic prestige, the White House invitation now feels more like a political trap — and some world leaders are taking notice, as per a report.South African President Cyril Ramaphosa became the latest foreign head of state to walk into what is increasingly being described as an ambush, according to CNN.On Wednesday, during what was meant to be a diplomatic visit , Ramaphosa was publicly confronted by US president Donald Trump over far-right conspiracy theories about South Africa , specifically, the false claim that White South African farmers are victims of a genocide, as per the report.That moment echoed the February Oval Office meeting when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was confronted with a tense and deeply uncomfortable grilling from Trump and Vice President JD Vance, as per CNN.ALSO READ: Inside story of the fallout between Elon Musk and Donald Trump's key cabinet members that led the Tesla CEO to move away from D.C. Trump, reportedly, dimmed the lights in the Oval Office to show a multimedia presentation during Ramaphosa's visit, as per the report. On display was a series of right-wing media stories about farm attacks in South Africa and the killings of White Afrikaners, according to CNN. Trump reacted saying, 'Death, death, death,' as headlines flashed on-screen, according to the report.However, Ramaphosa came armed, accompanied by South Africa's White agriculture minister and supported by top champion golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, who are both Trump supporters, as per the report.Ramaphosa, visibly rattled but composed, spoke back calmly. He explained that the violent crime in South Africa affects all communities, and that Black citizens are overwhelmingly the majority of victims, as per CNN. Ramaphosa also clarified that there was no genocide, pushing back against Trump's claim, according to the report.However, that made no difference, as Trump said, 'They're being executed, and they happen to be White, and most of them happen to be farmers,' adding, 'I don't know how you explain that,' quoted CNN.He was. He brought his White agriculture minister and Trump-supporting South African golfers.He clarified that most violent crime victims in South Africa are Black and that there is no genocide.
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