After criticizing South Africa for months, Trump will meet with its president
NBC1 day
Trump Confronts Ramaphosa Over 'White Genocide' Claims
Above: Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office at the White House on May 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Image copyright: Chip Somodevilla/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
South Africa is failing to protect white farmers from targeted violence and discrimination. Recent legislation allowing land expropriation without compensation threatens property rights and livelihoods. The government's policies and failure to condemn inflammatory rhetoric from opposition leaders have created an environment of fear and persecution for the white minority.
Anti-Trump narrative
Claims of white genocide are false and inflammatory. While South Africa faces serious crime challenges affecting all racial groups, statistics show no evidence of targeted persecution of white farmers. The land reform policies aim to address historical inequalities from apartheid through legal, constitutional means. Trump is simply promoting a debunked, xenophobic conspiracy theory to justify policy decisions, including imposing sanctions on South Africa, and promoting a divisive and misleading narrative.