South African President Cyril Ramaphosa showed remarkable composure during a tense and choreographed meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, as the American leader launched into an orchestrated tirade over controversial claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa.
Only three months into Trump’s second term, Ramaphosa became the latest foreign leader to experience the U.S. president’s performative style of diplomacy a mix of surprise confrontations, visual theatrics, and sharp provocations intended as much for the domestic American audience as for visiting dignitaries.
The meeting took an unexpected turn when Trump abruptly asked his aides to dim the lights and display a video on a large screen. The footage featured South African political radicals chanting the anti-apartheid song “Shoot the Boer,” alongside media clippings and unverified images purporting to show white farmers being persecuted.
Ramaphosa responded with measured calm, encouraging Trump to listen to the voices of South Africans rather than sensational media. He distanced himself from the rhetoric in the video, clarifying that the individuals shown were not part of the South African government and had no authority to confiscate land.
While Trump appeared to conflate radical political voices with government policy, he pressed Ramaphosa on a land reform bill signed earlier in the year. The South African president pointed out that the controversial lawallowing land seizures without compensation had yet to be implemented.
In a strategic move, Ramaphosa had included two golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen along with a white Afrikaner billionaire and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, a key figure from the opposition Democratic Alliance, in his delegation. Their presence seemed to serve as both a diplomatic buffer and symbolic counterpoint to the claims being made.
Trump, an avid golf enthusiast, lit up at the sight of the sportsmen and repeatedly turned to them during the discussion. Their comments on South African issues received nearly as much attention as the president himself, softening the confrontational tone of the meeting.
When asked directly about the persecution of white farmers, Ramaphosa calmly gestured to his delegation and said, “If there was an Afrikaner farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here.” His deflection, while subtle, underscored the absurdity of the claim without escalating the confrontation.
Despite Trump’s attempt to provoke a strong reaction, Ramaphosa largely avoided direct engagement, letting the dramatics play out while offering brief, composed responses. His strategy seemed aimed at neutralizing the spectacle rather than participating in it.
Trump, who has granted asylum to dozens of white South African farmers and repeated claims of race-based violence in South Africa, appeared determined to reinforce this narrative for his political base. Analysts say this tactic aligns with the broader Make America Great Again (MAGA) strategy of highlighting perceived global grievances that resonate with his supporters.
Ultimately, Ramaphosa’s dignified silence in the face of spectacle may have proved more powerful than any rebuttal. His carefully assembled delegation, coupled with a refusal to rise to provocation, shielded him from political damage while preserving diplomatic decorum.
While the Oval Office showdown may not have swayed Trump’s domestic audience, it highlighted Ramaphosa’s skillful navigation of a uniquely American political theater one where image often speaks louder than substance.
