Overview: A tense meeting at the White House
Former U.S. President Donald Trump presented South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with fabricated and deceptive evidence of a purported “white genocide” in South Africa during a contentious meeting in the Oval Office.
When Trump played a video and showed pictures that were either inaccurate or taken from completely different countries, the long-debunked accusations that were still making the rounds in far-right groups reappeared.
This article looks at the fabricated proof, the actual facts supporting the allegations, and the diplomatic ramifications of this crucial meeting.
What Did Trump’s False Evidence Actually Show?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) images Not true Associated with South Africa
Trump displayed an article printout that included a picture he said depicted “white farmers being buried” in South Africa.
Reality Check: According to Reuters, the photo was taken in Goma, DRC, and depicted victims of fighting against M23 rebels supported by Rwanda.
2. Inauthentic “Mass Graves” Video
A video that Trump aired purportedly showed the “burial sites of over a thousand white farmers.”
Truth: Rather than a mass burial, the video showed a makeshift memorial for two killed Afrikaner farmers near Newcastle, South Africa.
Rob Hoatson, who organized the memorial, acknowledged that it was never a real graveyard.
3. Falsification of Julius Malema’s Position
Julius Malema, the head of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of South Africa, was seen in the video yelling, “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer.”
False Implication: Although the EFF is not in power and only has 9.5% of parliamentary seats, Trump implied that Malema was a government figure.
Why Does the Myth of the “White Genocide” Still Exist?
Far-right parties have long promoted the disproven conspiracy notion of a white genocide in South Africa. Important details:
Although farm killings are a severe problem, they don’t only afflict white farmers.
Systemic persecution is denied by the South African government, and the genocide claim is not supported by crime data.
Trump’s 2018 asylum offer to white South African farmers drew harsh criticism for being politically driven.
The Diplomatic Reaction of Ramaphosa
Trump’s allegations were denied by President Ramaphosa and his entourage. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen (Democratic Alliance) said the government coalition was formed in order to prevent the EFF from gaining power.
Ramaphosa’s attempt to mend the strained U.S.-South Africa relationship, which had been exacerbated by Trump’s previous criticism of South Africa’s foreign policy and land reform initiatives, included the meeting.
Conclusion: The Peril of False Information in International Relations
Trump’s use of fabricated and deceptive proof demonstrates how misinformation may influence global affairs.
The “white genocide” narrative is a lie that perpetuates divide, even while white South Africans deal with issues relating to crime.
Questions and Answers (FAQs)
1. Is South Africa truly experiencing a “white genocide”?
No. There is no proof of a purposeful genocide against white farmers, despite the fact that violent crime affects all South Africans.
2. What was the real source of Trump’s photos and videos?
Not from South Africa, but from the DRC conflict, were some of the pictures.
Instead of being a graveyard, the “mass grave” footage was a memorial site.
3. Does Julius Malema represent the South African government, and if so, who is he?
Less than 10% of parliamentary seats are held by the opposition EFF party, which is led by Malema.
Government policy is not reflected in his extreme rhetoric.
4. How did Ramaphosa react to the allegations made by Trump?
Ramaphosa refuted the accusations, and his coalition partners stressed that they strive to lessen the influence of the EFF.
Last Updated in May 2025
South African officials continue to reject the “white genocide” narrative as bogus propaganda, and recent fact-checks reveal that there is no fresh evidence to back up Trump’s assertions.