A high-profile Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took an unexpected turn when Trump veered off trade discussions to focus on contentious allegations of violence against white farmers in South Africa.
“Turn the lights down,” Trump said, signaling what he described as “showtime” before a video presentation began. The footage, played on a TV brought into the room, featured Black South African politicians—none affiliated with Ramaphosa’s party—chanting anti-apartheid slogans that have been controversially cited by conservative media to allege a “white genocide.”“Twenty-six people were murdered in front of their families after ascertaining their faith. To create religious discord, deliberately an element of religion was introduced,” Trump commented, referring to alleged violence against white farmers.
The video concluded with scenes of white crosses, which Trump claimed represented murdered farmers.“It’s a terrible sight. I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.
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Ramaphosa responded calmly, casting doubt on the footage’s authenticity.“I’d like to know where that is,” he remarked. “Because this I’ve never seen.”
Despite the provocative visuals, the meeting remained civil—unlike Trump’s previous Oval Office confrontation with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Instead of directly confronting Trump, Ramaphosa involved members of his delegation, including golf legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, to lighten the mood.“They’re champions,” Trump said approvingly. “I respect champions.”
Also present was billionaire Johann Rupert, South Africa’s richest person and a well-known Afrikaner, who acknowledged the country’s broader crime issues:“We have too many deaths. And it’s across the board. It’s not only white farmers,” Rupert clarified.
Rupert also endorsed deploying Elon Musk’s Starlink in South African police stations and referenced his optimism about the nation’s future:“I often go to bed without locking the door,” he said.
The meeting’s intense tone was briefly broken when a reporter asked about the Pentagon accepting a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar. Trump dismissed the query as a distraction.
Ramaphosa took the moment in stride with humor.“I wish I had a plane to give you,” he quipped.
“I wish you did,” Trump replied. “I would take it.”
After the meeting, Ramaphosa told reporters,“You wanted to see drama… I’m sorry that we disappointed you somewhat.”
A journalist replied,“That was very dramatic for me, and for everybody else in the room.”
