Cyril Ramaphosa, looking to persuade President Donald Trump to stop floating the "white genocide" conspiracy theory, walked into a trap.

US President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office with a forceful, reality-TV style ambush. After cordial greetings, Trump abruptly ordered the lights to be dimmed and played a video.

Mr Ramaphosa kept his cool. But the episode underlined Donald Trump’s warped views of South Africa—and how hard it will be to change them. The Trump administration has cut aid to Africa’s largest economy and seems set to cancel the preferential trade terms enjoyed by South Africa (and many other countries in the continent).

This sit-down comes at a time when South Africa's relationship with the United States is seemingly strained, making these discussions all the more significant.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa showed why he earned a reputation as a skilled negotiator in his clash with President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting has generated much meme fodder for netizens are they began mocking the United States President for his conduct during the interaction.

The EFF has slammed the meeting between Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa, saying it was used to vilify Julius Malema, but many found the party's comments hilarious.

Donald J. Trump Transcripts White House Calendar White House Press Releases Remarks: Donald Trump Holds a Bilat with Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa - May 21, 2025

Trump misidentified images of Congolese victims of fighting in the DRC with murdered South African farmers during a meeting with Ramaphosa.

An American man praised the US president, Donald Trump, over the way he handled things with the South African president, Cyril RamaphosaDuring the Oval Office meeting, Trump “ambushed” Ramaphosa with news clippings and a video to back his baseless claim that South Africa is committing "genocide" against white South African farmersMzansi netizens reacted to a video of the US man applauding Trump over his behaviour towards RamaphosaAn American man has sparked heated online debate after expressing admiration for U.