South African President Ramaphosa Recalls 'Ambush' Meeting with Trump at White House

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recounted a tense and surprising moment during his recent Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, where Trump abruptly dimmed the lights to show a video falsely claiming a white genocide in South Africa. Ramaphosa described being bemused by the unexpected move, which many have called an ambush, but he later used humor to reflect on the incident during a public address in Cape Town. The video featured controversial content related to South Africa’s internal political issues, including references to Julius Malema and farm murders, which have strained relations between the two countries. Despite the awkward encounter, Ramaphosa considered the visit an important opportunity to engage directly with U.S. officials about South Africa’s democratic progress and trade relations. The meeting occurred amid broader tensions, including the U.S. freezing aid and imposing tariffs, with South Africa seeking exemptions. Ramaphosa's lighthearted recounting of the event contrasted with interruptions he faced later domestically, highlighting the ongoing political challenges at home and abroad.