During a meeting at the White House, former US President Donald Trump accused South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of genocide against white farmers in South Africa. Trump demanded explanations for the alleged executions and land seizures of white farmers, presenting videos and articles as evidence. However, these claims have been linked to conspiracy theories and were met with denial from Ramaphosa, who highlighted ongoing structural inequalities affecting black farmers under the land reform policies.
Ramaphosa's visit, which aimed to reset relations, was marked by unexpected tension. In response to Trump's allegations, Ramaphosa maintained composure and refuted the claims, emphasizing that they do not reflect official government policy.
Efforts to ease diplomatic strains included Ramaphosa bringing renowned South African golfers to the meeting, hoping their connections with Trump might bridge differences. Despite these efforts, Trump's administration had previously frozen aid to South Africa and expelled their ambassador, citing racial tensions.
Additionally, Trump controversially granted refugee status to Afrikaners, a white minority in South Africa, allowing them expedited resettlement in the US. This action contradicted the administration's restrictive stance on other refugees and fueled further debate on racial issues in South Africa.
