Donald Trump ambushed President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa with unsubstantiated evidence of genocide against white farmers during their Oval Office meeting on Wednesday.
The president has criticized South African land reform, which aims to address the injustices of apartheid. Trump canceled aid to the country, expelled its ambassador, and offered refuge to white minority Afrikaners based on racial discrimination claims that Pretoria says are unfounded.
After a friendly start to the meeting, Trump played a video showing an opposition leader chanting “Kill the Boer!” and what he claimed were burial sites of murdered white farmers.
The South Africans pushed back on the claims, emphasizing that the government was against the opposition’s views and that the country has a rural crime problem that impacts everyone.
Ramaphosa said earlier that no matter what, the U.S. and South Africa “are joined at the hip and we need to be talking to them.”
The South African delegation included luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert and champion golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, who helped dispel tension as friends of Trump.
The president was accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has accused Ramaphosa of pursuing anti-white policies.
Key points
- Trump surprises South African leader in Oval Office with ‘genocide’ evidence including video and photos
- Golfers help diffuse tension at heated Oval Office meeting
- Trump previously canceled aid to South Africa, expelled ambassador and gave refuge to white Afrikaners
- U.S. is second biggest trading partner for South Africa after China
- Trump blasts ‘terrible reporter’ at NBC for asking about Qatar jet
Thank you for following our rolling coverage of today’s White House meeting between President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
We are now pausing the live blog. Make sure you join us again tomorrow.
Here’s what you need to know from today:
- Trump surprises South African leader in Oval Office with ‘genocide’ evidence, including video and photos
- Trump channels a conspiracy theory-loving uncle with bizarre Oval Office ambush
- Trump blasts ‘terrible reporter’ at NBC for asking about Qatar jet during South African meeting
Good morning
14:43 , Oliver O'ConnellWelcome to our rolling coverage of today’s meeting between President Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa.
Trump is set to greet his South African counterpart outside the White House at 11:30 a.m. ET this morning before a bilateral lunch in the Cabinet room.
That will be followed by a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at 12:45 p.m.
Joining the South African delegation will be luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert and champion golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.
Vice President JD Vance and South African-born Elon Musk, a harsh critic of Ramaphosa will accompany Trump.
Trump repeated disputed claim that white farmers suffering ‘genocide’ in South Africa just 10 days ago
14:53 , Oliver O'ConnellAs recently as May 12, Donald Trump claimed that the U.S. media were refusing to write about a supposed “genocide” taking place in South Africa, given that the alleged victims were white.
He made the comments in the Oval Office during a brief media availability centered around the signing of an executive order aimed at establishing price controls for prescription drugs. The president’s remarks came as the first flight of white South African “refugees” was set to imminently disembark at Dulles airport.
John Bowden reports.
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Trump repeats claim white farmers suffering ‘genocide’ in South Africa
Golfing connections helped bring about meeting
14:58 , Oliver O'ConnellSouth African billionaire Johann Rupert, accompanying President Ramaphosa today, is the founder of the Richemont luxury goods group that owns brands like Cartier.
He is an important investor in his home country and helped bring about Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump, South African media reported.
Ernie Els, a former world number one golfer and four-time major champion, also played a part, according to the reports.
Both men have played golf with Trump. Neither responded to requests for comment from Reuters.
South Africa filed genocide charges against Israel
15:09 , Oliver O'ConnellSouth Africa formally accused Israel of genocide in charges filed at the International Court of Justice in late 2023.
At the time, President Joe Biden’s administration called the allegations brought by Pretoria “meritless”.
Then-National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that the court submission was “counterproductive and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever”.
South Africa brought the charges to the United Nations’s top court at The Hague on December 29, citing prohibitions against genocide under international law banning killings or other actions “committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”.
The case accuses Israel of acting “in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention” while conducting the war against Hamas it has been prosecuting since the 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks by the militant group killed more than 1,000 Israelis.
At that point, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has said more than 21,000 Gaza residents have been killed, including more than 300 killed in UN-run shelters.
According to the ICJ, Israel is specifically accused of “acts and omissions” that “are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent … to destroy Palestinians in Gaza”.
In response, Israel said the South African court action amounts to the country “calling for the destruction of the State of Israel”.
“Israel is committed to international law and acts in accordance with it, and directs its military efforts only against the Hamas terrorist organization and the other terrorist organisations cooperating with Hamas,” the Israeli government said in a statement.
What deals are on the table at today's meeting?
15:20 , Oliver O'ConnellRamaphosa is expected to offer Trump a broad trade deal, as well as specific deals such as duty-free access for Musk's Tesla electric vehicles in exchange for the firm building charging stations, and potential licensing for Musk's Starlink company.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who is in Ramaphosa's delegation, said he was focused on securing and expanding South African farmers' duty-free access to the U.S. market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
AGOA is at risk from Trump's tariff regime, which is currently suspended but would hit South Africa with a 30 percent duty if enacted.
For his part, Trump is likely to demand that U.S. companies be exempted from “racial requirements,” a White House official said.
South Africa has laws to compel businesses to hire and promote Black South Africans, including a requirement for large companies in some sectors, such as mining and telecoms, to have a 30 percent equity stake held by disadvantaged groups.
Ramaphosa is unlikely to agree to weaken such rules, which are core to his government's aspiration to restore racial justice after centuries of colonialism and apartheid.
Reporting from Reuters
Trump puts white South Africans on citizenship fast track while rejecting all other refugees
15:32 , Oliver O'ConnellSince taking office, Donald Trump’s administration has virtually shut down refugee admissions and blocked funding for resettlement groups, stranding thousands of people who were granted entry to the United States for humanitarian protections only to have those offers rescinded.
But the president has singled out one specific group of people who will be allowed entry into the United States and appear to be on a fast track to citizenship: white South Africans.
A group of 59 white South Africans admitted to the United States as “refugees” have been “essentially extended citizenship,” Trump said May 12.
Alex Woodward reports.
Trump welcomes white South Africans while rejecting all other refugees
South Africa meeting comes as Musk companies take reputational hit
15:40 , Oliver O'ConnellElon Musk’s companies have seen their reputations decline dramatically over the last year, according to a new poll, the latest sign of a backlash against the billionaire’s work with the Trump administration.
In a ranking of the country’s 100 most visible brands, Tesla fell to 95th, while SpaceX clocked in at 86, according to the 2025 Axios Harris 100 poll.
The rankings represent steep declines from the companies’ previous perches at 8th and 5th, respectively, in the 2021 poll.
Josh Marcus reports.
Elon Musk companies see reputations crumble in likely backlash to his work with DOGE
Another recent visitor to the Oval Office? The pope's brother
15:50 , Oliver O'ConnellPope Leo XIV’s MAGA-loving brother was photographed inside the Oval Office beside Donald Trump and JD Vance, just a day after the vice president held a private meeting with the new pontiff in Rome.
James Liddell has the story.
Trump to meet with Johnson and House Freedom Caucus
16:15 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump will meet with Speaker Mike Johnson and the House Freedom Caucus at the White House this afternoon.
Trump is expected to tell them that this “big, beautiful bill” needs to pass today.
🚨🚨🚨BREAKING NEWS — @SpeakerJohnson and House Freedom Caucus will go to the White House today to meet with PRESIDENT TRUMP.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) May 21, 2025
TRUMP is expected to tell the HFC that the bill needs to pass today.
Trump posts video attacking Bruce Springsteen
16:26 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump has posted a short video on Truth Social depicting him striking a golf ball that “hits” rock star Bruce Springsteen, causing him to fall down.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2025
“The Boss” is the latest musician to feel Trump’s ire, with the president having also recently renewed his attacks on Taylor Swift.
Five days ago, Trump posted a diatribe against Springsteen, long known as a committed Democrat and friend of former President Barack Obama.
Trump wrote:
I see that Highly Overrated Bruce Springsteen goes to a Foreign Country to speak badly about the President of the United States. Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he’s not a talented guy — Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent FOOL, and our WORST EVER President, who came close to destroying our Country. If I wasn’t elected, it would have been GONE by now! Sleepy Joe didn’t have a clue as to what he was doing, but Springsteen is “dumb as a rock,” and couldn’t see what was going on, or could he (which is even worse!)? This dried out “prune” of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country, that’s just “standard fare.” Then we’ll all see how it goes for him!
And two days ago, in a 2 a.m. post, he called for a major investigation into Springsteen, Beyoncé and Bono for their support of Kamala Harris.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's delegation in full
16:31 , Oliver O'ConnellSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be accompanied by:
- Ronald Lamola – Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
- Khumbudzo Ntshavheni – Minister in The Presidency
- Parks Tau – Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
- John Steenhuisen – Minister of Agriculture
- Mcebisi Jonas – Special Envoy to the United States
Notable accompanying figures from the business and sports sectors
- Ernie Els – Professional golfer
- Retief Goosen – Professional golfer
- Johann Rupert – South African billionaire and luxury goods magnate
What actions has Trump taken against South Africa?
16:33 , Oliver O'ConnellOn February 7, President Donald Trump issued an executive order cutting all U.S. funding to South Africa, citing what he described as its anti-white domestic policies and anti-American foreign policy.
In March, he expelled the South African ambassador.
Last week, he granted refugee status to a group of white South Africans he said were facing racial discrimination, a claim that the South African government denies.
Furthermore, the U.S. has said it would skip the G20 Summit in South Africa, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg in November.
U.S.-South Africa trading relations in the balance
16:45 , Oliver O'ConnellThe United States is South Africa’s second-biggest trading partner after China. Trump's sweeping trade tariffs announced in April (and subsequently paused for 90 days) included a levy of 31 percent on South African imports. And the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access to the US market for South African agricultural products, is up for renewal in September.
During this visit, Ramaphosa plans to offer Trump a broad trade deal. He is expected to try to convince Trump that the U.S. has a lot to gain from maintaining close ties with South Africa, the largest economy in Africa. In 2023, South Africa exported $13.9 billion worth of goods to the United States and imported $7.1 billion worth of American goods, resulting in a U.S. trade deficit of about $6.8 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division.
For his part, President Trump is expected to demand that U.S. companies be exempted from “racial requirements,” according to a White House official. South Africa has laws to compel businesses to hire and promote Black South Africans, including a requirement for large companies in some sectors, such as mining and telecommunications, to have a 30 percent equity stake held by disadvantaged groups.
Elon Musk has criticized that requirement. He has blamed it for preventing him from bringing his satellite company, Starlink, to his native country.
Watch LIVE: Trump greets South African president amid tensions between nations
16:59 , Oliver O'ConnellWhite House flag-bearer faints shortly before Ramaphosa's arrival
17:14 , Oliver O'ConnellA White House flag-bearer fainted shortly before President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived at the West Wing’s north portico.
The uniformed individual and member of the honor guard appeared to faint and fall backwards into a grassy area.
They were roused and walked over to another area on the White House grounds for closer examination and medical attention.
Here’s the moment as caught on the livestream of the arrival:
damn -- a flag-bearing service member outside the White House just passed out live on camera pic.twitter.com/LN1cWuVqkX
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 21, 2025
Trump answers two quick questions while greeting Ramaphosa
17:17 , Oliver O'Connell
The South African delegation pulled up to the North Portico at 12:03 p.m., with President Donald Trump stepping out seconds beforehand. Things appear to be running about 30 minutes behind schedule.
Trump answered two shouted questions as he welcomed the South African president, saying his “big, beautiful bill” is doing “very well … it’s very close”.
About the Pope’s brother, who visited him yesterday, he said that he was a “fantastic guy.”
They walked inside the West Wing at 12:04.
Elon Musk seen standing with media in Oval Office
17:23 , Oliver O'ConnellElon Musk is standing with reporters in the Oval Office: pic.twitter.com/oXk9fXVOZs
— David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) May 21, 2025
Trump and Ramaphosa begin Oval Office meeting
17:27 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump introduces South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office: “He is a man who is certainly in some circles really respected, in other circles a little bit less respected.”
Trump introduces South African President Ramaphosa: "He is a man who is certainly in some circles really respected, in other circles a little bit less respected." pic.twitter.com/RNXMKkmiXp
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 21, 2025
“We'll be discussing many things and some of the things you've been reading about in the papers,” Trump says as he begins his meeting with Ramaphosa.
“We're going to be discussing some of the things that are taking place in South Africa.”
The tone is friendly, and Trump jokes he does not know where Ramaphosa got his number.
Trump on South African President Ramaphosa: "I don't know where he got my number, but I picked up. He said, 'I want to come over and see you.'" pic.twitter.com/KsE75p1135
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 21, 2025
Ramaphosa focuses on trading relations in remarks to Trump
17:31 , Oliver O'Connell“We are essentially here to reset the relationship between the United States and South Africa,” says President Ramaphosa.
“We are long, long-standing partners in many, many ways. We've collaborated in many fields, in space, issues, in energy, and in trade, and we therefore need to reset that, particularly in light of some of the announcements that you made on trade and investment. So we want to advance more trade between the two of us, two countries, and our people now have been empowered by yourself and myself to start engaging, and we hope that you will be able to fuel that engagement during our talks. And we also want to discuss issues that have to do with how we promote further investments in both countries.”
He continues: “You are a much bigger economy than we are. We're just a tiny economy, but we rely on each other on a number of issues. We've got critical minerals that you want to fuel the growth of your own economy and re-industrialize. So we have that on offer, including rare earth minerals. So all that combination of opportunity and the products that we buy from you, as well as what we sell to you, I believe, makes up a really good and powerful relationship, which we need to strengthen which we need to engender, and that is really what is brought us here and we are really privileged to have, you know grave South Africans in the mix, as you said you'd like to see them as well.”
Ramaphosa gifts Trump golf course photo book
17:34 , Oliver O'ConnellRamaphosa: I brought you a really fantastic golf book. It weighs 14 kilograms. It showcases the golf courses in our country… And I want to showcase our golf courses pic.twitter.com/v9eWNwB2LW
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 21, 2025
South Africa rolls out golf diplomacy
17:37 , Oliver O'ConnellIn addition to the 14-kilogram (!) golf course photo book, the South African delegation has brought along championship golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.
Trump: "We also have a few of my friends. Ernie Els, a great golfer. He's a truly great golfer. Retief Goosen...we call him really great golfer too, Ernie, right? You two guys are fantastic. We could add Gary to the group. Gary Player. What a group of golfers South Africa's had." https://t.co/k8CGs0e5tw
— Allan Smith (@akarl_smith) May 21, 2025
Watch: Trump suggests white genocide happening in South Africa
17:39 , Oliver O'Connellwith the South African president sitting next to him, Trump suggests there is a white genocide happening in his country and says, "I hope you can have an explanation of that" pic.twitter.com/NIItD9tVg5
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 21, 2025
Trump is now receiving disapproving marks on nearly every key issue — the border is the exception
17:45 , Oliver O'ConnellA new national poll shows President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are below 50 percent on nearly every major issue — except border security.
A Marquette Law School survey, conducted May 5 to 15, found Trump holds a +12 net approval rating on border security, marking the only issue where he remains in positive territory.
Erin Keller reports from Ohio on the latest polling.
Trump is now receiving disapproving marks on nearly every key issue: poll
Trump ambushes Ramaphosa with video he claims shows burial sites of white farmers killed in 'genocide'
17:47 , Oliver O'ConnellRamaphosa takes a question directed to Trump about what it will take to persuade him that there isn't white genocide happening in South Africa.
“It will take President Trump listening to the voices of South Africans, some of whom are his good friends, like those who are here. ... It will take President Trump to listen to them. I will not be repeating what I've been saying.”
Trump responds: “We have thousands of stories talking about it.”
He then directs his staff to dim the lights in the Oval Office and play a video of Julian Malema chanting “Kill the Boer!”
Trump claims the video, which runs for some time, shows the burial sites of white farmers.
Ramaphosa says: "Have they told you where that is, Mr President? I'd like to know where that is because this, I've never seen.”
Trump: These are burial sites, over 1000 of white farmers.. both sides of the road, you have crosses.
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 21, 2025
Ramaphosa: I would like to know where that is pic.twitter.com/Z5jokUdriC
Ramaphosa pushes back on Trump allegations
17:58 , Oliver O'ConnellRamaphosa, remaining composed, responded to the video by saying “that is not government policy” and “our government policy is completely, completely against what he was saying,” referring to the opposition leader seen in the video.
Trump doubted the response.
“When they take the land, they kill the white farmer,” he said.
Ramaphosa also noted that some members of his administration are Afrikaners.
“I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here,” he said.
Trump also produced a stack of printouts that he said were reports about slain white farmers.
“Death, death, horrible death,” he said.
Watch: Trump accuses South Africa of confiscating land, as farmers are killed
18:01 , Oliver O'ConnellTrump to Ramaphosa: "You're taking people's land away from them. And those people in many cases are being executed. And they happen to be white." pic.twitter.com/djzq88qeIK
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 21, 2025
'We have too many deaths ... It's not only white farmers' says South African tycoon Rupert
18:16 , Oliver O'ConnellSouth African luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert reiterates the need for South Africa to deal with crime and gangs, saying there are deaths “across the board” and not just of white farmers.
“We have too many deaths. It's across the board. It's not only white farmers. It's across the board. We need technological help. We need Starlink at every police station.” pic.twitter.com/C6GFB18gfk
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 21, 2025
Trump says he doesn't want to involve Musk in South Africa policy
18:18 , Oliver O'ConnellDuring his tense meeting with Ramaphosa, Trump noted he has “a great feeling for South Africa” and many friends in that country.
The president said some of his South African friends were at the meeting in the Oval Office, including billionaire Elon Musk.
“Elon is from South Africa,” Trump said, though he suggested that involving Musk in U.S.-South African relations could cause more controversy.
“I don’t want to get Elon involved,” Trump said. “I don’t want to talk to him about that. I don’t think it’s fair to him.”
White House X account amplifies video Trump showed in South Africa meeting
18:20 , APThe White House is promoting a video that Trump showed during his meeting with South Africa’s president, which the U.S. president suggests shows politically motivated slayings occurring in that country.
The official White House X account posted an emoji of a siren and the title “JUST SHOWN IN THE OVAL OFFICE: Proof of Persecution in South Africa” over a video Trump had shown during his meeting with Ramaphosa. Trump said the video showed killings and suggested that white South African farmers were being targeted.
The post of the video came even as Trump’s meeting with Ramaphosa was still happening.
🚨 JUST SHOWN IN THE OVAL OFFICE: Proof of Persecution in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/rER1l8sqAU
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 21, 2025
Trump says he hasn't made up his mind on South African 'genocide'
18:22 , Oliver O'ConnellTrump was asked if he has made up his mind that a genocide is happening in South Africa.
The president replies: “I haven’t made up my mind but I hate to see it… If I can save lives, I want to save lives.”
South African golfer Ernie Els put on spot in Oval Office meeting
18:25 , Oliver O'ConnellSouth African golfer Ernie Els, part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation, was asked for his thoughts amid the at-times tense Oval office meeting.
President Donald Trump said, “This is harder than sinking a three-footer” as he invited Els to share his thoughts.
“I know there's a lot of anger. We grew up in an apartheid era. But I don’t think two wrongs make a right,” Els said.
“We want to see things get better in our home country. That's the bottom line,” he added.
South African golfer Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) in the Oval Office: "We want to see things get better in our home country. That's the bottom line." pic.twitter.com/pq2ysYMhrB
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 21, 2025
Ramaphosa jokes he's sorry he doesn't have a plane to give Trump
18:31 , Oliver O'ConnellAs the U.S. confirms it is accepting the gift of a 747-8 from Qatar for Trump to use as Air Force One, Ramaphosa joked that he was sorry he didn’t have a plane to give the president.
Trump replied: “I wish you did. I'd take it. If your country offered the US Air Force a plane, I would take it.”
Ramaphosa: I'm sorry I don't have a plane to give you.
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 21, 2025
Trump: I wish you did. I would take it. pic.twitter.com/XgQTMr769P
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accepted a gifted Boeing 747 from Qatar for Trump to use as president, Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said.
Parnell said the plane was accepted “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations.”
What does the South African government say about the deaths of white farmers?
18:36 , Oliver O'ConnellThe South African government says that the allegations aired by Trump during today’s Oval Office meeting with Cyril Ramaphosa are based on misinformation.
Some white farmers have been killed during violent home invasions, but South Africa says the Trump administration doesn’t understand why that has happened.
The government says those killings are part of its severe problem with crime and that the killing of whites isn’t motivated by race. Black farmers have also been killed, they note.
South Africa’s agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, who is white and a member of a different political party than Ramaphosa, and was at the Oval Office meeting, told The Associated Press that no land is being seized from farmers and that the claims of genocide are false.
Golfers help diffuse tension at Oval Office meeting
18:39 , Oliver O'ConnellAndrew Feinberg reports from Washington, D.C.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to bring several South African golfers to his Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump appears to have paid off.
The golfers, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, helped diffuse tensions after Trump confronted Ramaphosa with inflammatory videos and news articles, which he alleged to be evidence of “genocide” against white South Africans.
Asked by Trump to weigh in, Els said he and Goosen were both there as “proud South Africans” who “want to see things get better in our home country.”
He told the president that they had both come to meet with members of the Trump administration to help “see a way forward” so the country can “flourish.”
“You know, we got some great things going on. Businesses getting involved with government, farming. Farmers are getting involved in local municipalities, trying to rebuild some of the infrastructure that's been decaying for a long time.,” he said.
“But we need, I feel we need the U.S. to push this thing through,” he said.
Trump appeared affected by his friends’ participation and said he hoped his administration could “do something” for South Africa.
“Look, I have so many friends. These two men, I have great admiration for them, because I know what they do for a living, and that's a very hard living, going from city to city, from country to country, and hitting a ball 350 yards, like they do, getting the ball in the hole is very tough with lots of people watching. That's a very tough living. You know, they're champions. I respect champions, and I respect very much, and I think the country is very lucky. They really wanted to be here. They could be elsewhere,” he said.
Trump blasts ‘terrible reporter’ at NBC for asking about Qatar jet
18:49 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump raged at NBC News’ Peter Alexander on Wednesday for asking about the luxury plane the Qatari government is gifting the United States, calling him a “terrible reporter” and a “jerk” for not addressing the “genocide” of white South African farmers, which Trump has given refugee status to.
Justin Baragona reports.
Trump rips ‘terrible reporter’ at NBC for asking about Qatar at South African meeting
In pictures: Trump and Ramaphosa's Oval Office meeting
19:05 , Oliver O'ConnellThe meeting between President Donald Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa lurched from moments of levity to heated and tense discussion.
Full story: Trump surprises South African leader in Oval Office with ‘genocide’ evidence including video and photos
19:15 , Oliver O'ConnellAndrew Feinberg reports from Washington, D.C.:
A meeting between President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa which the South African leader said was intended to “reset” the relationship between both governments after months of tensions appeared to go off the rails when Trump confronted Ramaphosa with inflammatory videos and news articles which he alleged to be evidence of “genocide” against white South Africans.
The Oval Office session had been largely calm and filled with compliments delivered from both Trump and Ramaphosa when the American leader was asked what it would take for Ramaphosa to convince him that no such “genocide” was taking place.
Trump directed staff to play a video, which included footage of Julian Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, in which Malema repeatedly exhorts followers at a rally.to “kill the farmer” and “kill the Boer.”
Continue reading...
Trump shocks South African leader with ‘genocide’ evidence at meeting
Might Trump now attend G20 meeting in South Africa?
19:30 , Oliver O'ConnellThe U.S. has sent mixed signals about participating in this year’s G20 summit, which is being hosted by South Africa.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a Senate hearing that “we chose not to participate.”
But Trump suggested that he wasn’t ruling it out, and described the U.S. as a key player for both the G7 and the G20.
Trump called the G20 summit — countries representing about 85 percent of global GDP and three-quarters of world trade — a big deal and said he wants South Africa to “look good” during today’s meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“It’s important that the United States is in both of them,” he said.
President Ramaphosa noted that in November, South Africa hands over the G20 presidency to the U.S., which might possibly tempt Trump into sending a delegation or attending himself.
Trump also reiterated his belief that Russia should be added back into the G7, making it the G8.
Russia was removed in 2014 after annexing Crimea from Ukraine, a precursor to the war there.
American shoppers aren't spending because of tariff fears, Target warns
19:45 , Oliver O'ConnellTarget CEO Brian Cornell said Wednesday that raising prices to offset Trump-era tariffs would be a “last resort,” as the company reported weaker-than-expected first-quarter sales and lowered its full-year outlook.
Cornell said Target has “many levers to use in mitigating the impact of tariffs,” without passing costs to consumers who are fearful of spending because of President Donald Trump’s tariff plan.
Target also said that customer boycotts have also done some damage during the latest quarter.
Erin Keller reports.
Target sales plunge as customers cut spending over tariff fears
Furious Democrats call for investigation into Musk’s bid for 'Golden Dome' contract
20:00 , Oliver O'ConnellA group of 42 Democrats has written to the Pentagon’s Inspector General demanding an investigation after it was reported that Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, could win a lucrative contract to help build President Donald Trump’s new “Golden Dome” anti-missile defense system.
Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Tammy Duckworth have responded by expressing their concerns in a letter to acting Pentagon Inspector General Steven A Stebbins, demanding transparency about the bidding process.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Democrats call for investigation into Elon Musk’s Golden Dome bid
Ramaphosa says meeting with Trump 'went very well'
20:09 , Oliver O'ConnellJust before 3 p.m., South African President Cyril Ramaphosa left through the North Portico. He was asked how the meeting went.
“Very well,” he said.
Asked whether he thinks Trump “heard” him, Ramaphosa said: “Yes, he did, it went very well."
'No tax on tips': Who could see massive drops in their bill to Uncle Sam?
20:15 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Republican-led Senate has passed the “No Tax on Tips Act”, a pledge President Donald Trump campaigned on during the election.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris also adopted the idea during the presidential campaign, as the concept proved popular across both political parties.
In a surprise move, the Senate swiftly passed the bipartisan bill Tuesday, and it will now go to the House of Representatives for a vote.
Rhian Lubin looks at who might benefit.
Senate passed ‘no tax on tips.’ Who could see big drops in their bill to Uncle Sam
Trump channels a conspiracy theory-loving uncle with bizarre Oval Office ambush
20:30 , Oliver O'ConnellRichard Hall writes:
At first it looked as though the South African president had avoided a trap.
For weeks ahead of Cyril Ramaphosa’s White House visit, MAGA world had been promoting unsubstantiated claims about a hidden “white genocide” in the country. Donald Trump himself called it a “genocide,” as his administration officials greeted 59 white South Africans as “refugees” at the airport last Monday in D.C.
So, Ramaphosa came prepared. He brought with him two of the president’s favorite golfers and a giant book about golf. His introductory remarks were a tour de force of diplomacy, and the meeting was on track to avoid the doomed fate of Volodymyr Zelensky’s in February.
Then, a voice from the back of the room sparked chaos.
Read on...
Trump channels a conspiracy theory-loving uncle with bizarre Oval Office ambush
Trump stops civil rights investigations into local police departments
20:45 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Department of Justice is dismissing lawsuits against several local police departments, ending critical investigations into allegations of constitutional violations and civil rights abuses in the wake of high-profile police killings.
Justice Department officials announced on Wednesday they were pulling Joe Biden-era lawsuits targeting police departments in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, which came under scrutiny following the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, whose deaths galvanized racial justice protests in 2020.
Alex Woodward has the details.
Trump stops civil rights investigations into local police departments
Hacker steals data of 60 government officials who used 'knock-off' Signal app
21:15 , Oliver O'ConnellA hacker got access to the data of more than 60 government officials after breaching a communications service used by former national security adviser Mike Waltz and others, according to a review by Reuters.
The news agency found that dozens of officials were using the messaging platform TeleMessage after reviewing leaked data provided by Distributed Denial of Secrets. The nonprofit's mission is to archive hacked and leaked documents in the public interest.
The documents included material from customs officials, disaster responders, a number of U.S. diplomatic staffers, and at least one White House official, as well as members of the Secret Service.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
More than 60 government officials used hacked ‘knock-off’ Signal app
What does Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' mean for you?
21:32 , Oliver O'ConnellRhian Lubin writes:
House Republicans are edging ever closer to getting President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” over the line by winning over GOP holdouts.
Lawmakers in the House Republican caucus have been bickering over the fate of their budget reconciliation package as Speaker Mike Johnson said he wanted a final vote to take place Wednesday.
“President Trump’s ‘one, big, beautiful bill’ is going to require one big, beautiful vote,” Johnson said. “We are going to get this done.”
The bill looks to slash taxes and increase spending on oil drilling, the military, and border security, while also making cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs.
It’s a make-or-break moment for the president and his party, who have invested much of their political capital during the crucial first few months of Trump’s return to the White House on this package. It comes at a time of huge economic uncertainty.
Read on...
Trump welcomes 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball champions to White House
21:40 , Oliver O'Connell.@POTUS welcomes the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball champions to the White House — the University of Florida @GatorsMBK 🏆 pic.twitter.com/4p67ERsPvC
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 21, 2025
Trump posts fake video of him hitting Bruce Springsteen with a golf ball
21:42 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump has posted a fake video of him hitting a golf ball at singer Bruce Springsteen amid a tense public feud.
Trump posted a video to Truth Social Wednesday showing real footage of him and Springsteen that has been manipulated to depict the president striking the rock star with a golf stroke.
Rachel Dobkin reports.
Trump posts fake video of him hitting Bruce Springsteen with a golf ball
‘Real’ point of Ramaphosa’s White House visit was the closed-door portion, aide says
21:49 , APRamaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, told South African TV station Newzroom Afrika that the Oval Office meeting was “an orchestrated show for the cameras” and that the “real business” of the trip was the bilateral closed-door meeting.
“President Ramaphosa came here not for a TV show, he came here to discuss with President Trump in earnest how we can reset the strategic relationship between South Africa and the U.S,” Magwenya said.
Trump’s deal to build hotel in the Middle East ‘seems like corruption’, says Tucker Carlson
21:52 , Oliver O'ConnellTucker Carlson, a former Fox News host with a history of praising President Donald Trump, is raising concerns over the commander-in-chief’s plans to build hotels and resorts in Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Michelle Del Rey has the story.
Tucker Carlson: Trump’s Middle East hotel deal ‘seems like corruption’
