‘Tremendous complaints’: Trump plays videos alleging white ‘genocide’ in South Africa as meeting with Ramaphosa goes off rails

Ramaphosa denied the claims, saying, “They’re not,” and added that people killed in South Africa are not only white. He said such acts are not government policy and emphasized that criminality exists in the country but is not racially targeted.

While the video ran, Trump said: “It’s a terrible sight, never seen anything like it”, Ramaphosa asks: “Have they told you where that is Mr President?” Trump says no.

Ramaphosa says he’d like to know where it is, as he’s never seen it before. “It’s in South Africa,” Trump responds.

Elon Musk looks on as President Donald Trump meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trying to calm the meeting, Ramaphosa suggested a private discussion to address concerns and joked, “I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” while reaffirming South Africa’s willingness to engage.

During the meeting, Trump also criticised an NBC reporter, calling them a “disgrace,” and avoided commenting on acceptance of a Qatari jet. Elon Musk, present at the meeting, was briefly mentioned as South African, but Trump chose not to involve him.

The meeting took place as South Africa holds the G20 presidency until November, when it passes to the US, Ramaphosa expressed his intention to “reset” relations and discuss key issues like critical minerals and trade.

Mending the rift

Ramaphosa hopes his visit to Washington will help mend a growing diplomatic rift with the United States — a feud that has already led to US aid cancellations and the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador. But back home, there are concerns that the meeting could spiral out of control, much like the tense Oval Office encounter between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February.

Amid strained ties, there is mounting anxiety that South Africa may also risk losing some of its trade privileges with the US.

Ramaphosa’s visit comes just over a week after 59 white South Africans were granted refugee status and arrived in the US, a development that has further complicated the geopolitical narrative.