On May 21, 2025, a heated exchange unfolded in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, centered on Trump’s controversial claims of “white genocide” in South Africa. The meeting, attended by South African-born billionaire Elon Musk and other notable South African figures, exposed deep divisions between the two leaders, with the discussion growing tense as Trump presented videos and articles to support his allegations.
The meeting began cordially, with Trump describing it as a “great honor” to host Ramaphosa, though he noted the South African president is “respected in some circles, less so in others.” Ramaphosa, aiming to reset U.S.-South Africa relations, emphasized trade and economic cooperation. However, the focus quickly shifted to Trump’s assertion that White Afrikaner farmers in South Africa face genocidal violence, a claim Ramaphosa and his delegation firmly rejected.
Trump, referencing what he called “thousands of stories” and “documentaries,” instructed his staff to dim the lights and play a video alleging violence against White South Africans, including images of burial sites. Ramaphosa, visibly caught off guard, stated he had not seen the videos and stressed they did not reflect South African government policy. “There is criminality in our country,” Ramaphosa said, “but people who get killed are not only White people. The majority are Black people.”
The South African delegation, including prominent figures like golfers Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, and billionaire Johann Rupert, echoed Ramaphosa’s point, arguing that the issue is not targeted violence against White farmers but rather widespread crime affecting all South Africans. Ramaphosa pointed out that South Africa’s government of national unity, formed in July 2024, includes the Democratic Alliance, a party representing many Afrikaners, with its leader, Jan Steenhuisen, serving as agriculture minister. “If there was Afrikaner farmer genocide, these gentlemen would not be here,” Ramaphosa said.
Trump’s claims come amid his administration’s decision to grant refugee status to 59 White Afrikaners, a move that has sparked debate. During a Capitol Hill hearing the previous day, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio on why Afrikaners were prioritized over other persecuted groups, like the Uyghurs or Rohingya, suggesting racial bias. Rubio defended the decision, calling the Afrikaner situation a “new issue” and an example set by Trump, distinct from broader refugee programs.
The presence of Elon Musk, who has also amplified claims of “white genocide,” added another layer of complexity. Though Musk remained silent during the meeting, Trump noted his South African roots and suggested Musk influenced the decision to admit the Afrikaner refugees. South Africa’s presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, later dismissed the videos Trump showed as a “poor compilation of old clips” and a “complete lie,” praising Ramaphosa’s calm and dignified response.
The public nature of the meeting, with reporters present for over an hour, was unusual, as such diplomatic discussions typically occur privately. Trump’s decision to air the dispute openly aligns with his pattern of inviting media to witness confrontations with world leaders. Despite Ramaphosa’s attempts to redirect the conversation to trade, Trump repeatedly returned to the issue of White farmers, though he admitted uncertainty about what specific actions he expected from South Africa.
This clash highlights ongoing U.S.-South Africa tensions and raises questions about the Trump administration’s refugee policies, especially as it seeks to suspend broader refugee admissions. For now, the debate over “white genocide” remains a flashpoint, with Ramaphosa urging Trump to listen to South African voices to understand the reality on the ground.