President Donald Trump forced South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to watch video evidence showing radical political leaders in South Africa calling for violence against white farmers. Trump questioned why such leaders had not been arrested and expressed concern over attacks on white farmers. How does this mean about the relationship between the U.S. and South Africa?
Trump Confronts Ramaphosa with Controversial Footage
President Donald Trump engaged in a heated diplomatic exchange with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during what was supposed to be a routine meeting about trade and investment. The meeting took an unexpected turn when Trump presented video evidence allegedly showing South African political leaders inciting violence against white farmers.
The footage reportedly depicted Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, leading chants of “Kill the farmer!” and “Shoot to kill!” Trump also showed videos of burial sites, describing them as containing “over a thousand white farmers” with cars lined up to pay respects.
Trump just played his ace card.
The media spent years covering up the targeted killings of White farmers in South Africa——because it didn't fit their narrative.
He confronted the issue head-on beside President Ramaphosa, under the bright lights of live TV.
What happened next… pic.twitter.com/fO43TKggBI
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) May 21, 2025
South African Response and Delegation
Ramaphosa watched the video and questioned its authenticity, expressing unfamiliarity with the footage and its location. He clarified that the speeches in the videos did not reflect government policy, emphasizing South Africa’s multiparty democracy where radical voices exist but do not represent official positions.
In anticipation of difficult questions, Ramaphosa brought along a delegation that included prominent white South Africans. The group featured internationally renowned golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as businessman Johann Rupert, who were invited to provide their perspectives on the situation in South Africa.
Notice how the South African President’s Cabinet hung their heads in total SHAME as Trump played videos of their party calling for the genocide of whites at the White House.
They refused to even watch.
What a perfect metaphor. Trump is a genius…pic.twitter.com/M7eRDwj5IO
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 21, 2025
Policy Implications and Ongoing Tensions
Trump challenged Ramaphosa on land issues, suggesting that land is taken from white owners and farmers are killed without consequences. The Trump administration has expressed opposition to South Africa’s land expropriation policies, citing negative outcomes from similar approaches in Zimbabwe.
A significant point of contention emerged when Trump revealed that the United States has begun accepting Afrikaners as refugees, a move criticized by Ramaphosa as unwarranted. Trump questioned why radical leaders like Malema had not been arrested, noting their ability to gather large crowds and spread messages that could incite violence.
The meeting also touched on economic concerns, with a trade union representative expressing worry about potential impacts if South Africa is excluded from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. Trump remained noncommittal on attending the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, leaving several diplomatic issues unresolved as the tense meeting concluded.