🌍 U.S. President Donald Trump stunned observers Wednesday by doubling down on debunked conspiracy theories about “white genocide” during a tense meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The clash unfolded in the Oval Office as Trump presented printed articles and videos to support his claims—a move critics called “misinformation theater.” 💥
Facts vs. Fiction
Ramaphosa, visiting Washington to ease trade tensions, firmly rejected Trump’s allegations. “Crime affects all South Africans, but the majority of victims are Black,” he stated, dismissing claims of systemic racism against white citizens. The South African leader emphasized his country’s efforts to address land reform—a policy Trump labeled as “discriminatory.”
Media Backlash
CNN and other outlets noted that Trump’s claims echoed discredited reports linked to AfriForum, a group accused of promoting white nationalist agendas. Analysts compared the moment to a “bad TikTok conspiracy deep-dive gone diplomatic.” 📉
Broken Bridges
Tensions escalated further as the U.S. announced plans to skip this year’s G20 meeting in South Africa. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited “misaligned priorities,” while South Africa criticized U.S. aid cuts as “historically ignorant” given the nation’s apartheid past.
With Trump doubling down on contested narratives, this clash highlights how viral disinformation is reshaping global diplomacy—one awkward Oval Office moment at a time. 🤝💔
