Key Points
- Ramaphosa denied any genocide against white farmers.
- Trump aired controversial videos claiming targeted killings.
- Ramaphosa urged Trump to listen to all South Africans.
President Cyril Ramaphosa firmly rejected United States President Donald Trump’s claim of a “white genocide” in South Africa during a tense exchange at the Oval Office on Tuesday.
What began as a cordial meeting shifted dramatically when a reporter questioned Trump about the U.S. granting refugee status to white South Africans. Trump responded by playing a series of video clips that he claimed proved the ongoing genocide against white farmers.
One clip featured inflammatory rhetoric about violence against white people. Another displayed rows of white crosses, which Trump said symbolized slain white farmers.
“These crosses represent over a thousand white farmers murdered in South Africa,” Trump insisted as he addressed the room.
Ramaphosa, however, stood his ground. He explained that one of the featured videos was actually a speech from an opposition politician and did not reflect government policy.
South African president rebuts genocide claim with facts
Ramaphosa called the genocide accusation not only false but dangerous. He urged Trump to take the time to listen to the stories and realities of everyday South Africans, both black and white.
“If there was a white farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen wouldn’t be here,” Ramaphosa said, pointing to his delegation, including the Minister of Agriculture.
He emphasized that South Africa’s crime rate affects all racial groups, with black citizens often the primary victims.
White farmer genocide claim lacks evidence, says Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa also addressed the controversial land expropriation law, clarifying that no land has been seized illegally.
“No one is taking land. That’s a myth,” he stated firmly.
Despite the clarification, Trump maintained his position. He alleged that the South African government was allowing land grabs and killings of white farmers without consequences.
Elon Musk, a South African-born entrepreneur and adviser to Trump, attended the meeting and supported Trump’s claims, though the so-called genocide theory has been widely debunked.
Earlier this year, Trump froze U.S. aid to South Africa, accusing the country of human rights violations. Last week, the U.S. admitted 59 white South Africans as refugees based on claims of racial violence.
In closing, Ramaphosa said: “South Africans know — black and white — that there is no genocide here. We are not a nation of retribution. We seek unity.”
