Trump, Ramaphosa Clash Over ‘White Genocide’ Claims
A meeting between US President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House on Wednesday turned tense when Trump screened videos allegedly showing violence against white farmers in South Africa.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that white farmers in South Africa are facing a genocide, an assertion that has been vehemently denied by the South African government.
The meeting, which was intended to focus on trade and investment deals, quickly devolved into a heated discussion about Trump’s claims of genocide.
Ramaphosa responded to the videos, which included footage of people making violent threats against white individuals, by stating that such comments do not reflect the views of the South African government.
“We have a multi-party democracy in South Africa that allows people to express themselves. The comments in the videos are not government policy,” Ramaphosa said.
Trump’s allegations of genocide have been widely disputed, and there is no credible evidence to support his claims.
According to police statistics, there were only 12 murders on farms in South Africa last year, and none of the victims were identified as being targeted because of their race.
The meeting was also attended by Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and has been a vocal critic of the country’s racial equity laws.
Musk has claimed that the Afrikaners, white descendants of Dutch and French settlers, are targets of a “genocide” in South Africa, despite a lack of evidence to support this claim.
The US has recently admitted 59 white South Africans as refugees, citing claims of persecution and violence. However, the South African government has disputed these claims, stating that there is no evidence of a genocide against white individuals.
The tension between the US and South Africa has been escalating in recent months, with the US criticizing South Africa’s land reform policies and accusing the country of treating white farmers unfairly.
The South African government has responded by stating that its policies are aimed at addressing historical injustices and promoting equality.
The meeting between Trump and Ramaphosa highlights the deep divisions between the two countries on issues of race and equality.
While Trump has been accused of promoting a divisive and racist agenda, Ramaphosa has emphasized the need for reconciliation and equality in South Africa.
As the meeting came to a close, Ramaphosa reiterated his commitment to promoting good relations between the US and South Africa, despite the disagreements over Trump’s claims of genocide.
“We’re all like that,” Ramaphosa said, laughing, when Trump noted that he was respected in some circles but not in others. “We will continue to engage with the US on issues of mutual interest, and we hope to find common ground on areas where we disagree.”
