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Last Updated:May 22, 2025, 22:38 IST
Confronting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Donald Trump claimed that white South Africans – particularly Afrikaner farmers – are being systematically murdered
US President Donald Trump hands papers to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 21. (Image: Jim WATSON/AFP)
In a brand new controversy for US President Donald Trump, he has claimed “white genocide" in South Africa during a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House.
Confronting Ramaphosa during the meeting, Trump made the unsubstantiated claims using an old video. He has earlier claimed that white South Africans – particularly Afrikaner farmers – are being systematically murdered.
The Trump administration has recently allowed Afrikaner farmers quick access to refugee status and US citizenship, despite limited evidence supporting claims of targeted violence.
Initially stunned by the claims, Ramaphosa – a former anti-apartheid activist and freedom fighter – responded to the claims diplomatically while countering the assertions. But, he was repeatedly interrupted by Trump, who showed him a four-minute video consisting mostly of years-old clips of inflammatory speeches by some South African politicians that have been circulating on social media.
“You do allow them to take land, and then when they take the land, they kill the white farmer, and when they kill the white farmer, nothing happens to them," he said.
He further showed the South African President news clippings that he said backed up his claims – although one actually featured a photo from the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Death, death, death. Horrible death," he added.
Here’s all you need to know:
WHAT DID TRUMP CLAIM, AND WHAT DID HE SHOW RAMAPHOSA?
According to a report published in The Hill, Trump played a nearly four-minute video – shared by Afrikaner advocacy groups – that included inflammatory clips of Julius Malema.
Malema is the leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, whom Trump cited as a major threat while suggesting Ramaphosa should have him arrested for inciting violence. He, however, was expelled from the African Congress years ago.
Trump has claimed that white farmers are having their land seized and are being killed. He referred to a memorial of white crosses in South Africa – known as the Witkruis Monument – as a mass burial site for murdered white farmers, though the site is symbolic and commemorates victims of farm attacks regardless of race.
“It’s more than just a little movement – it’s a pretty big movement in South Africa," Trump was quoted by The Hill. “Their land is being confiscated and, in many cases, they’re being killed."
(With agency inputs)
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:News world Trump Uses Old Video To Confront Ramaphosa With 'White Genocide' In South Africa: All You Need To Know
