U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House on Wednesday in what promises to be a tense and high-profile meeting. The visit comes amid escalating tensions following Trump’s controversial claims that the South African government is allowing a “genocide” against minority white farmers—a charge that South Africa vehemently denies.
A Strained Relationship at Historic Lows
South Africa’s government, led by President Ramaphosa, has strongly rejected Trump’s allegations, describing them as baseless and damaging to the country’s reputation. The diplomatic relationship between the two nations is currently at its lowest since the end of apartheid in 1994, with Trump’s administration having cut all U.S. assistance to South Africa.
Ramaphosa, keen to repair this fractured relationship, pushed for the face-to-face meeting with Trump. “This meeting is an opportunity to correct damaging mischaracterizations,” Ramaphosa said ahead of the visit. “South Africa remains committed to democracy, equality, and justice for all its people.”
The Genocide Allegation: Fact or Fiction?
Trump first ignited the controversy in early February when he posted on his platform Truth Social accusing South Africa’s government of seizing land from white Afrikaner farmers and committing a “massive Human Rights VIOLATION.” Shortly after, he issued an executive order suspending all U.S. development aid to South Africa.
In a further escalation, Trump alleged this month that a “genocide” is occurring against white farmers, and the U.S. government has started relocating a small group of these farmers to America as refugees under a new program. This program is seen by critics as politically motivated and has been widely questioned.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s stance during a CBS interview, saying, “There is evidence that some white farmers have been murdered and forcibly removed. We take these reports seriously.” However, he did not present concrete proof of genocide.
South African officials insist the violence affecting farmers is part of a broader crime crisis, impacting all racial groups. Black farmers, like their white counterparts, have also been victims of violent attacks.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who belongs to the opposition Democratic Alliance and is white himself, spoke candidly to The Associated Press: “No land is being seized unlawfully. Claims of genocide are false and misrepresent the reality. Spreading misinformation like this has real consequences for our country.”
Addressing the ‘Kill the Farmer’ Chant
One of the key issues Trump is expected to raise during the meeting is the continued use of a divisive apartheid-era chant heard at some political rallies: “kill the farmer” and “shoot the farmer.” The chant, often shouted by a minority opposition party, references the “Boer” — a term for Afrikaner farmers.
While Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) party does not endorse the chant, the South African government has yet to publicly condemn it. Afrikaner advocacy groups argue the chant amounts to hate speech and fuels racial tensions.
Elon Musk’s Controversial Role
Adding complexity to the meeting is the presence of Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire and Trump ally, who is expected to join the Oval Office discussions. Musk has been vocal about his criticism of South Africa’s government, particularly targeting the country’s affirmative action laws.
Musk recently tweeted that his satellite internet company, Starlink, was unable to secure operating licenses in South Africa because of what he called “racist” policies requiring companies to have 30% Black ownership. South African regulators dispute Musk’s claim, saying Starlink has not formally applied for a license and that any foreign company must comply with local laws aimed at redressing apartheid-era inequalities.
According to an anonymous White House official, the Trump administration regards these racial ownership requirements as trade barriers that discourage investment and has pressured South Africa to relax them. Bloomberg recently reported that South Africa might be open to negotiating terms to allow Starlink’s operations, though Ramaphosa has neither confirmed nor denied such discussions.
Ramaphosa Faces Fears of Public Humiliation
Ahead of the visit, concerns emerged in South African media that Ramaphosa could be publicly humiliated or aggressively confronted by Trump during the meeting—a scenario dubbed being “Zelenskyy’d,” referencing the widely publicized moment when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly rebuked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.
Trump has openly criticized Ramaphosa and his government for “doing some terrible things” and pursuing policies unfriendly to U.S. interests.
However, Ramaphosa expressed confidence ahead of the meeting, saying, “South Africans are never humiliated; we always enter these discussions with our heads held high.” He emphasized that the dialogue would focus on trade and restoring normal diplomatic relations.
What to Expect From the Meeting
A senior White House official, speaking anonymously, revealed that Trump’s agenda would likely include:
- Urging Ramaphosa to condemn politicians who use “genocidal rhetoric,” such as the inflammatory farmer chants.
- Emphasizing the need to prioritize farm attacks as a serious crime.
- Highlighting South African trade barriers linked to racial policies.
- Pressuring for reforms to encourage foreign investment.
For South Africa, this meeting is critical not just to dispel misinformation but also to protect its image as a stable, democratic country and important U.S. trading partner.
The Road Ahead
This meeting marks the first time Trump has met with an African leader since returning to the presidency, and the spotlight on South Africa’s political and social issues could have lasting impacts on the country’s foreign relations.
While some fear the talks may harden divisions, others hope they will open channels for dialogue and lead to improved cooperation.
Business leader Sipho Pityana remarked, “South Africa values its relationship with the United States, but we must work together based on facts, not falsehoods. Only through respectful dialogue can we rebuild trust.”
As President Ramaphosa and Donald Trump sit down to discuss these contentious issues, the world watches to see whether this meeting will calm diplomatic tensions or further complicate an already fragile relationship.
