U.S. President Donald Trump met Wednesday afternoon with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, but the gathering, which included Elon Musk on the sidelines, quickly turned sour when Trump brought up the baseless claims of “white genocide” taking place in the country.
Trump raised the topic of racial persecution against white Afrikaners less than a week after a group of about 60 individuals were granted expedited American citizenship.
During the tense, awkward meeting, Trump dimmed the lights to play footage he said proves his unsubstantiated claim of white genocide.
Earlier this year, Trump accused the South African government of fuelling anti-white racism, leading to the killing of white farmers, a claim Ramaphosa and the South African government fervently deny.
The footage showed a populist politician playing a controversial anti-apartheid song that includes lyrics about killing a farmer.
“People are fleeing South Africa for their safety,” Trump said following the short video.
President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa (C-L) and U.S. President Donald Trump (C-R) look on as a video plays in the Oval Office of the White House on May 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Ramaphosa pushed back against Trump’s accusation, and sought to change the subject.
“We are completely opposed to that,” Ramaphosa said of the behaviour alleged by Trump.
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Experts in South Africa say there is no evidence of whites being targeted, although farmers of all races are victims of violent home invasions in a country that has a very high crime rate.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
— With files from The Associated Press