Trump Presses Ramaphosa on White Farmer Violence \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ During an Oval Office meeting, President Trump challenged South African President Ramaphosa with accusations that white farmers are being targeted for violence, citing videos of fringe politician Julius Malema. Ramaphosa firmly denied the allegations, emphasizing that Malema’s party holds little political power and that most victims of violence in South Africa are Black. Trump said he was undecided on whether a “genocide” is occurring.
Quick Looks
- Trump shows video claiming white farmers are being killed
- Cites Julius Malema, leader of fringe far-left EFF party
- EFF holds less than 10% of South African vote
- Ramaphosa dismisses claims as fringe rhetoric, not policy
- Elon Musk amplifies video clips on social media
- Trump says he hasn’t “made up his mind” on genocide
- Crosses shown in video misrepresented as mass graves
- Memorial actually from a protest after 2020 double murder
- Ramaphosa notes most murder victims in South Africa are Black
- Trump pushes refugee status for white South Africans
- U.S. restricts refugee intake from other global regions
- South African agriculture minister joins meeting, rebuts Trump’s narrative
Deep Look
President Donald Trump used a high-profile Oval Office meeting on Wednesday to press South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on a narrative that has gained traction in far-right circles: that white farmers are being systematically killed in South Africa in what some have termed a genocide. The claims, long dismissed by South African officials and international observers, were presented to Ramaphosa in the form of a curated video montage, much of which centered around speeches by Julius Malema, a controversial politician who leads the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Malema, who was expelled from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and now heads a party that captured less than 10% of the vote in the most recent election, was shown in the footage singing inflammatory songs with lyrics like “kill the Boer,” a historical anti-apartheid chant. These same videos have been frequently shared and amplified by Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX—and a close Trump ally—who was also in attendance.
Fringe Politics, Mainstream Diplomacy
Despite Malema’s marginal influence in South African politics, Trump appeared to use the EFF leader as a symbol of what he characterized as a larger threat to white South Africans. The former president repeated unverified claims of mass killings and showed Ramaphosa a video ending with an aerial view of white crosses—which Trump claimed represented burial sites for murdered white farmers.
However, South African news outlets have clarified that the crosses were part of a 2020 protest organized after a white couple was murdered on their farm—not a mass grave. The imagery has since been recycled on social media, including by Musk, as evidence of a so-called genocide.
Ramaphosa Pushes Back
During the viewing, Ramaphosa appeared visibly confused and questioned the origin of the footage, saying:
“I’d like to know where that is, because this I’ve never seen.”
Ramaphosa clarified that Malema’s rhetoric does not reflect government policy, stating, “Our government policy is completely against what he is saying, even in the Parliament.” He also emphasized that most victims of violent crime in South Africa are Black, pointing to the country’s broader issue with violent crime and high murder rates—over 20,000 homicides annually.
Ramaphosa urged Trump to “listen to the voices of South Africans,” rather than rely on viral videos and fringe political commentary.
Trump’s Immigration Double Standard
The Trump administration’s focus on white South African farmers comes at a time when the U.S. has significantly tightened refugee admissions, especially for groups like Afghans who assisted U.S. troops. Yet, the White House has made exceptions for dozens of white South Africans, allowing them to apply for refugee status based on claims of racial persecution—a move critics say is ideologically driven rather than evidence-based.
Despite being pressed by reporters, Trump stopped short of formally declaring a genocide, stating only:
“I haven’t made up my mind.”
Elon Musk’s Role in Shaping the Narrative
Elon Musk has emerged as a central figure in promoting the idea that white South Africans are under attack. In March, he posted to his platform X (formerly Twitter):
“Very few people know that there is a major political party in South Africa that is actively promoting white genocide… Where is the outrage?”
Musk’s family is originally from South Africa, and his social media accounts have become a hub for anti-ANC and anti-Malema rhetoric. His presence in the Oval Office during the meeting signaled his influence over the Trump administration’s view of the situation.
South African Officials Clarify Policy and Denounce Rhetoric
Joining Ramaphosa at the meeting was John Steenhuisen, South Africa’s agriculture minister, who is white and a member of the governing coalition. He pointedly criticized Malema and his party, saying he was in government “to make sure that lot never gains power.”
Ramaphosa, for his part, said South Africa’s land reform policies are lawful and inclusive, aimed at correcting historical injustices from apartheid, not at targeting specific racial groups.
He also expressed concern about how misinformation and social media narratives could influence U.S. policy and damage diplomatic ties.
Conclusion: High Stakes for U.S.-South Africa Relations
The Oval Office exchange highlighted the growing use of viral media and fringe political narratives in shaping foreign policy discussions at the highest levels. While Trump has yet to take formal action beyond approving limited refugee entry, the tone and content of Wednesday’s meeting reflect a deepening ideological divide over how the U.S. views racial dynamics and land reform in post-apartheid South Africa.
With both leaders publicly at odds on the issue and no common ground in sight, the controversy over white farmer violence may continue to strain relations between Washington and Pretoria.
Trump Presses Ramaphosa
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