South African President Cyril Ramaphosa humorously apologized to U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesda. He said that he had no aircraft to present as a gift.
The lighthearted remark came during their Oval Office meeting. The meeting was marked by tense discussions over racial violence in South Africa and diplomatic complexities.
Ramaphosa apologizes to Trump for not having a plane to gift
The exchange followed news that Qatar gifted the U.S. a luxury Boeing 747 jetliner, estimated at $400 million, to serve temporarily as Air Force One.
Trump welcomed the gift but clarified it was for the U.S. Air Force, not personal use. The gift stirred controversy over its ethics and legality among American politicians.
When reporters questioned Trump about the jet, he dismissed the inquiry angrily, calling one journalist an “idiot” and criticizing the press as “fake news.”
Then, Trump quipped that he wished South Africa had gifted him a jet, referencing Qatar’s recent donation of a Boeing 747 to the U.S.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” Ramaphosa said in the Oval Office as Trump hosted him for a bilateral meeting and lunch.
“I wish you did. I’d take it,” said Trump. “If your country offered the United States Air Force a plane, I would take it.”
The U.S president Donald Trump comfronted president Ramaphosa with shocking video evidence alleging ‘white genocide’ in South African.
The tension at the Oval Office between Trump and Ramaphosa
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump stunned South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office.
Ramaphosa visited hoping to mend ties with the Trump administration.
During the meeting, Trump played a montage claiming evidence of a ‘white genocide’ in South Africa.
Previously, Trump cut aid, expelled South African diplomats, and welcomed white Afrikaner refugees.
Additionally, Elon Musk, also in the room, supported Trump’s ‘white genocide’ claims.
Trump accused South African officials of enabling violence against white farmers
Ramaphosa tried to ease tensions with Trump, gifting a golf book and mentioning his golf practice.
Additionally, he came with golfers Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, and tycoon Johann Rupert.
However, Trump used footage to accuse South African officials of enabling violence against white farmers.
Trump responded by humiliating Ramaphosa.
The President dimmed Oval Office lights and played clips from Julius Malema’s rallies, featuring the song “Shoot the Boer.”
Then, Trump showed news stories on white South Africans fleeing violence and discriminatory ‘black empowerment’ laws.
Additionally, Trump highlighted attacks on white farmers, claiming government inaction emboldens criminals.
He pointed to the Witkruis Monument, honoring both black and white farmers killed in attacks.
Trump demanded Ramaphosa explain why no arrests were made for calls to kill white farmers.
‘And I’ll give these to you,’ Trump told Ramaphosa. ‘So when you say, “What would you like to do?” I don’t know what to do for this – white South African couples say that they were attacked violently.’
‘Look here’s burial sites all over the place,’ Trump continued.
Ramaphosa denies policy supports violence, says crime affects all
Before being accused by Trump, Ramaphosa denied that government policy supports violence and emphasized that crime affects all races
Ramaphosa rejected the ‘white genocide’ narrative as government policy.
Additionally, he stressed South Africa’s multi-party democracy allows free speech, even for extremist views.
‘That is not government policy. We have a multi-party democracy in South Africa that allows people to express themselves,’ Ramaphosa tried to explain. ‘And in many cases, or in some cases, those policies do not go along with government policy.’
Ramaphosa admitted some policies differ from minority party rhetoric, but official stance opposes violence.
‘Our government policy is completely, completely against what he was saying, even in the parliament, and a small minority party, which is allowed to exist in terms of our Constitution,’ Ramaphosa said.
He stated crime victims include black South Africans in majority.
Ramaphosa also insisted his government works to reduce violence across all communities.
Ramaphosa pushed back at Trump’s accusations during the meeting
Trump then charged: ‘But you do allow them to take land.’
‘They take the land, they kill the white farmer and when they kill the white farmer, nothing happens to them,’ the American president continued.
Trump asked later: ‘Why would you not arrest this man? That man said “kill the white farmers, kill the white farmers” and then he danced.’
Ramaphosa said violence hits all races but affects black South Africans most.
‘There is criminality in our country. People who do get killed, unfortunately, through criminal activity are not only white people, a majority of them are black people,’ the South African leader said.
The Oval Office confrontation exposed divergent views on South Africa’s racial and security issues.
Howeve, Ramaphosa denied government complicity, emphasizing inclusive anti-crime policies.
This extraordinary meeting underscored the complexities of US-South Africa relations amid escalating political and racial debates.