Lights, video, confrontation — Trump's meeting with South African leader takes dramatic turn

WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON (AP) — “Turn the lights down,” President Donald Trump said. It was showtime successful the Oval Office.

Sitting adjacent to him was South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was visiting successful hopes of reaching new agreements connected trade. But Trump wanted to speech astir baseless allegations that achromatic farmers successful his state were being systematically singled retired for persecution and murder.

He directed everyone’s attraction to a tv that had been wheeled into the room, and a video began to play.

Even for a president who has transformed the Oval Office from a diplomatic venue into a gladiatorial arena, it was an bonzer scene. Trump stared astatine the surface portion Ramaphosa looked away. For astir 4 minutes, the video showed Black politicians — nary portion of Ramaphosa's authorities oregon governmental enactment — utilizing anti-apartheid chants astir attacking achromatic South Africans.

The politicians person said their comments aren't meant to beryllium taken literally; blimpish media usage them to beforehand wide rejected claims that there's a genocide underway successful South Africa.

The video ended with footage of rows of achromatic crosses, which Trump said represented slain achromatic farmers.

“It’s a unspeakable sight. I’ve ne'er seen thing similar it,” helium said.

Ramaphosa sounded skeptical.

“I’d similar to cognize wherever that is,” helium said. “Because this I’ve ne'er seen.”

The confrontation echoed Trump’s explosive gathering successful the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy astir 3 months ago, but this 1 did not devolve into acrimony. While Zelenskyy and Trump ended up arguing successful afloat presumption of the quality media, what unfolded connected Wednesday was a delicate creation betwixt 2 leaders who had intelligibly prepared for the encounter.

Trump had much than conscionable the video. He besides shuffled done a stack of papers that helium said were printouts of reports astir attacks connected achromatic farmers.

“Death. Death. Horrible death” Trump said. His medication has welcomed dozens of Afrikaners to the U.S. arsenic refugees, saying they look favoritism and unit astatine home.

Ramaphosa rejected allegations of genocide successful South Africa, which has a achy past with race. Once an apartheid country, it was ruled by a achromatic number known arsenic Afrikaners. The strategy of racist oppression ended 3 decades ago, and immoderate hostility remains contempt mostly palmy efforts astatine reconciliation.

But alternatively of pushing backmost connected Trump by himself, Ramaphosa encouraged Trump to perceive to different members of his delegation, including pro golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

The golf-obsessed U.S. president seemed impressed.

“They’re champions,” Trump said. “I respect champions.”

Also, determination was Johann Rupert, an Afrikaner and luxury goods tycoon who is South Africa’s richest person.

“We person excessively galore deaths. And it’s crossed the board. It’s not lone achromatic farmers,” Rupert said.

He added that “we request Starlink astatine each section constabulary station,” referencing a outer net work created by Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire lasting connected the different broadside of the room. Musk has been advising Trump, and he’s claimed that helium can’t get a licence to run successful South Africa due to the fact that he’s white.

Rupert gave a motion to immoderate shared past with Trump to stress his country’s potential.

“You and I lived successful New York successful the 70s. We ne'er thought that New York could beryllium what it became,” helium said. He said helium was truthful assured successful South Africa’s aboriginal that helium was gathering cottages for his grandchildren connected a farm, and “I often spell to furniture without locking the door.”

The meeting's absorption connected South Africa was concisely interrupted erstwhile Trump was asked astir the Pentagon formally accepting a donated Boeing 747 from Qatar, which the president plans to usage arsenic Air Force One.

Trump lashed retired astatine the reporter, saying helium was simply trying to distract from the issues involving achromatic farmers.

Ramaphosa recovered wit successful the moment.

“I privation I had a level to springiness you,” helium said

“I privation you did,” Trump responded. “I would instrumentality it.”

Speaking to reporters aft leaving the White House, Ramaphosa said helium was pleased with the meeting.

“You wanted to spot play and thing truly large happening,” helium said. “And I'm atrocious that we disappointed you somewhat erstwhile it comes to that.”

One of the journalists disagreed.

“I don’t cognize what constitutes play successful your book, but that was precise melodramatic for me, and for everybody other successful the room,” helium said. “That was a melodramatic Oval Office meeting.”

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