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Washington, D.C. – In a dramatic and unprecedented moment during a bilateral meeting at the White House, US President Donald Trump reportedly brought a television into the Oval Office to show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa a video of Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, making inflammatory statements. The confrontation, which occurred on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, centred on Malema’s past remarks calling for violence against white farmers, which Trump has repeatedly cited as evidence of what he claims is a “white genocide” in South Africa.

The meeting, intended to address trade agreements and reset strained relations between the two nations, took a contentious turn when Trump, responding to a reporter’s question about what it would take to convince him that no genocide was occurring, directed staff to play the video. The footage reportedly included clips of Malema at a rally, exhorting supporters with phrases such as “kill the farmer” and “kill the Boer,” referring to white South Africans of Dutch descent. The display left Ramaphosa visibly stunned, with some sources describing him as “embarrassed” and “silent” during the playback.

President Ramaphosa, a seasoned negotiator who played a key role in South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy in the 1990s, responded by defending his country’s democratic principles. He emphasised that South Africa practises “party democracy,” where individuals and political parties are entitled to express their views under the constitutional right to free speech. “What you see in that video is not government policy,” Ramaphosa stated, distancing his administration from Malema’s rhetoric. He further clarified, “Nobody can take land,” directly rebutting Trump’s assertion that South African policies allow for the seizure of white-owned farmland.

The exchange comes amid heightened tensions between the US and South Africa, exacerbated by Trump’s recent policy to grant refugee status to 59 Afrikaners, whom he claims face persecution in South Africa. The first group arrived in the US on a government-chartered plane on Monday, 19 May 2025, prompting sharp criticism from Ramaphosa, who called those leaving “cowardly” for abandoning South Africa’s Black-majority democracy. The South African government has repeatedly denied Trump’s allegations of genocide, asserting that white farmers are not singled out for persecution.

Trump’s decision to play the video was described by some as a calculated move to pressure Ramaphosa, with one X post calling it a “gangster” tactic, noting the presence of South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who was reportedly in the room and gave Ramaphosa a “killer stare.” However, others expressed concern that the public confrontation risked humiliating Ramaphosa, drawing comparisons to Trump’s earlier tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. South African social media users voiced fears that Trump’s actions were intended to undermine Ramaphosa, with some pointing to the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador earlier this year by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as evidence of deteriorating relations.

The meeting also included lighter moments, with South African golfer Ernie Els, part of Ramaphosa’s delegation, being invited to comment. Trump quipped, “This is harder than sinking a three-footer,” in reference to the tense atmosphere. Despite the confrontation, both leaders expressed a desire to improve bilateral ties, with Ramaphosa’s office stating that the visit provided a “platform to reset strategic relations.”

The incident has sparked debate about the balance between free speech and inflammatory rhetoric in South Africa. Malema, a polarizing figure known for his radical economic policies and fiery oratory, has long been a lightning rod for controversy. While his statements have drawn condemnation, they are protected under South Africa’s robust free speech laws, a cornerstone of its post-apartheid constitution. Ramaphosa’s defence of party democracy underscores the government’s position that such views do not reflect official policy, but Trump’s focus on Malema’s rhetoric highlights the challenges of navigating international perceptions of South Africa’s complex socio-political landscape.

As the two leaders concluded their talks, the incident underscored the fragility of US-South Africa relations, which are at their lowest point since the end of apartheid in 1994. Whether the meeting will lead to a reset or further strain remains uncertain, but Trump’s theatrical approach has ensured that the encounter will be remembered as one of the most contentious Oval Office moments in recent history.