TRUMP’S POLITICAL EGO RELEGATED IN OVAL MEETING WITH CYRIL RAMAPHOSA
Donald Trump’s political rhetoric, which has characterised his public discourse in recent times has put him in a tight spot, further jeopardising the authenticity of the White house evidenced in political discourse and other issues of global ramification. The Trump-Ramaphosa meeting leaves Trump entrapped in fake news and disinformation.
On May 21, 2025, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and some of his Ministers embarked on a diplomatic mission to the U.S. following months of strained relations between the two countries. The meeting garnered global attention with expectations of contentious dialogue.
As the first African president to visit the White House since Trump took office in January 2025, Ramaphosa’s maiden visit attracted mixed reactions both in South Africa and abroad. It reignited discussions about diplomacy and political philosophy. While some pundits viewed this as a pivotal moment for strengthening ties—especially by emphasising South Africa’s position in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), its balanced foreign policy post-coalition with the Democratic Alliance, Trump’s impending participation in the G20 summit in South Africa, and efforts to attract investment—critics on the other hand questioned Ramaphosa’s position in light of Trump’s claims regarding South Africa’s land expropriation policies and unfounded allegations of Africana or “white genocide » in the rainbow nation.
The historic visit had the potential to either usher in a new diplomatic era or heighten existing tensions between the two nations.
However, Trump during the public discourse in the Oval Office instead got trapped in his own web by presenting unverified evidence claiming genocide against the white minority in South Africa.
« President Trump’s use of ‘rhetorical intimidation’ did not achieve the desired effect. »
Reports have indicated that the videos and images presented by Trump, which alleged an illusory genocide against minority white Africanas in South Africa, actually referenced the volatile situation in DR Congo. At this juncture, should we label this as ‘misinformation’ or ‘disinformation or Fake news’?
Trump’s media and communications team, along with other stakeholders involved in data collection, certainly should know the game plan.
Consequently, this fact-checking team from Reuters has countered Trump’s claims, which threaten South Africa’s diplomatic reputation, rendering Ramaphosa’s visit to the White House a ‘necessary evil.’
How can a nation that condemns genocide against Palestinians in the Middle East through legal means at the International Court of Justice be implicated in a similar act? South Africa’s position has been however vindicated.
Reuters’ revelations highlight the dangers of disinformation and underscore the urgent need for the truth to emerge swiftly. This requires fact-checking from independent bodies immediately following any revelations with global diplomatic implications.
How many incidents of disinformation by powerful nations have gone unnoticed?
How many lives have been lost due to successful disinformation campaigns?
These questions and many more underscore the ongoing information war amidst shifting global power dynamics, leading to the proliferation of disinformation, misinformation, and fake news — all in a bid for dominance in politics, economy, and public opinion.
I had previously opined that Donald Trump is inadvertently becoming a catalyst for the decline of U.S. hegemony. His policies have largely been geared toward pushing U.S. partners into laboratories, fostering innovation among major players in international relations and politics.
« Africa Breaks Trump’s Political Ego »
One reason President Ramaphosa visited the U.S. was to lobby for an economic framework under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows exports to the U.S. market without tariffs. This act, which was extended in 2015, is set to expire in September 2025. It remains uncertain if Trump, whose recent executive orders have left Africa in a state of uncertainty, will renew AGOA. South Africa wanted to ensure it was not left out, prompting the diplomatic visit. However, the special package prepared by Trump for Ramaphosa instead revealed disinformation emanating from the White House.
Overall, this brings us to a critical juncture as world leaders need to weigh the impact of their actions or statement made in public on International relations, what is universally seen as truth and how this distorts global peace and causes dissonance.
Clarisse Wiydorven
Journalist/Media Relations Officer