Trump Confronts Ramaphosa Over Claims of ‘White Genocide’ in Tense Oval Office Meeting
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- May 21
- 3 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right Leaning
Why: The article highlights Trump and Musk’s controversial claims without equal weight to South Africa’s rebuttals until later, emphasizing perceived racial bias and refugee policy justifications.
What Happened
A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa turned tense on Wednesday after Trump played videos to support his claim that white South Africans are facing genocide.
The meeting began cordially but shifted after Trump was asked about his administration’s decision to admit white South Africans as refugees. Trump responded by playing a montage of violent clips that he claimed showed anti-white sentiment.
Trump’s Claims of Genocide
Trump repeated the assertion that white people in South Africa are facing genocide.
The claim echoes similar statements made by Elon Musk, who also attended the meeting.
The Trump administration recently admitted 59 white South Africans as refugees, citing persecution and violence.
No international body or credible human rights organization has classified conditions in South Africa as genocide.
Ramaphosa Pushes Back
Ramaphosa, in the meeting, said the violent statements in the video were "not government policy."
He emphasized South Africa’s multiparty democracy, where fringe views exist but are not official stances.
The country’s agriculture minister added that some people shown in the videos belong to minor parties not part of the ruling coalition.
Ramaphosa said he denounces the language used in the videos.
U.S. Refugee Policy Shift
Trump defended the refugee decision by saying the U.S. takes in people from many regions where it sees "persecution or genocide."
Critics point out that the decision favored white applicants while other groups from conflict regions face stricter scrutiny.
Expropriation Law Sparks Disagreement
The Trump administration also criticized South Africa’s 2024 Expropriation Act, which allows land seizure in some cases without compensation.
The White House called the law a “shocking disregard” of rights and linked it to “violence against racially disfavored landowners.”
Ramaphosa argued the act is a legal tool rooted in the constitution to improve land equity and is not a confiscation law.
South Africa Rejects Genocide Label
Ramaphosa reiterated earlier this month that “there’s no genocide here.”
According to South African police data cited by the Associated Press, there were 12 murders on farms last year, mostly affecting workers, not owners.
Government data shows white farmers still own about 75% of privately held land.
Musk’s Role and Broader Tensions
Elon Musk, who has repeatedly criticized South Africa’s policies, sat in on the meeting.
Musk has accused the government of barring his company, Starlink, from operating because he is not Black.
In reality, South Africa requires part-ownership of telecom licenses by historically disadvantaged groups, including Black South Africans.
Diplomatic Strain Beyond Race
The meeting follows growing strain between the U.S. and South Africa, including disagreements over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
South Africa has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and brought a case to the International Court of Justice.
Trump referenced these positions in a February executive order that cited South Africa’s “aggressive” stance toward U.S. allies.
Remarks from the Meeting
Trump, at the start of the Oval Office meeting, said Ramaphosa was respected “in some circles” and “a little less respected” in others.
Ramaphosa laughed in response, saying, “We’re all like that.”
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