Trump’s South Africa Meeting Undermines U.S. Interests While Highlighting Contrasts

Despite the unexpected tension during their meeting in the Oval Office, former President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa share notable similarities. Both men are wealthy businessmen who reached the highest political office in their respective countries later in life. Their lifestyles reflect elite tastes—Trump favors golf, while Ramaphosa is known for fly fishing.

More importantly, both leaders have reputations built on deal-making. Trump’s expertise lies primarily in real estate ventures such as hotels, casinos, and luxury residences. Ramaphosa, on the other hand, played a pivotal role in one of the 20th century’s most significant political negotiations, leading talks that ended apartheid in South Africa.

Ramaphosa and the African National Congress succeeded largely because of his ability to find common ground and his readiness to make difficult compromises to secure peace with former adversaries. Although Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize for this achievement, Ramaphosa’s persistent and diplomatic efforts were crucial in finalizing the agreement.

Given his diplomatic background and confidence, Ramaphosa likely expected to engage constructively with Trump, a self-proclaimed dealmaker. However, the meeting quickly shifted focus as Trump spotlighted a controversial narrative alleging that white South Africans are victims of genocidal violence by the Black majority. This display was more theatrical than diplomatic, causing significant damage to U.S.-South Africa relations.

There were important issues on the table that warranted meaningful discussion, including South Africa’s legal claims concerning Israel, trade tariffs, and reductions in aid affecting vulnerable South African communities. Instead, Trump appeared prepared to confront Ramaphosa with a video presentation, dimmed lights, and a focus on Julius Malema, an opposition leader known for his inflammatory rhetoric, whom Trump and his supporters cite as evidence of alleged violence against white farmers.

This portrayal was misleading. Malema, once part of the African National Congress’s youth wing, was expelled amid conflicts with party leadership years ago. His party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, advocates for the uncompensated redistribution of white-owned land—a stance rejected by the ANC. Although South African law permits land seizures for public purposes, the government has not implemented such actions without compensation to date.