In a scene reminiscent of a theatrical performance of political tension and awakened memories from the visit last February, he attacked South African President Siril Ramafa during a formal visit to Wednesday, accusing him of the South.
In front of the television cameras and in a way that appears to have been carefully pre -planned, the Republican president set up a conflict scene, presenting videos and photocopies of articles that – as he claimed – proved persecution, seizures of land and mass murders.
New Political Show in White House: Trump humiliates Ramafa in front of cameras
It was another proof that the Republican is ready to use the Oval Office, a place where foreign leaders are traditionally honored, to humiliate visitors from less powerful countries or to put pressure on them on issues with which he has been obsessed with.
The unprecedented behavior of the US president may push foreign leaders to rethink it before accepting an invitation from him and are in danger of public humiliation. A hesitation that can make it difficult for Washington to tighten its relations with states and partners that its main opponent, China, seeks to attract.
Patrick Gaspard, a former US ambassador to South Africa under the presidency of Barack Obama, said Trump turned his meeting with Ramafa into a “nasty spectacle” and “behaved badly using a fake video and violent.”
The meeting of the two leaders had been presented as an opportunity to normalize bilateral relations between the United States and South Africa, mainly after the imposition of additional duties from Washington, but also to deviate tension after the unfounded Trump accusations of “white genocide” and his proposal.
Extraordinary moment as Trump plays videos to back up his ‘genocide’ claims in meting with Ramaphosa
– Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp)
The dark projection and the charges of “white genocide”
After a heartfelt start of the meeting, the Republican demanded that the lights be lowered to the Oval Office in order to display a video that, he said, showed the persecutions of the white South Africans, and also presented photocopies of articles on the subject.
Ramafa was apparently prepared to face Trump accusations, but he didn’t expect such a show.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” he replied smiling, referring to the luxury aircraft offered by Qatar to Trump to replace the Presidential Aircraft.
Ramafa spokesman, Vincent Maguenia, told the South African Newsroom Afrika network that “it was obvious that (Trump) was provoking President Ramafa”.
“One can see that they are causing him, but he did not fall into the trap,” he added.
The White House has not responded to a request to comment on whether the meeting was designed to make Ramafa in a difficult position or if it may discourage other leaders to visit Trump.
South Africa, who experienced centuries of draconian discrimination with blacks during the colonial period and apartheid, until it became a multi -party democracy in 1994, with the first president of Nelson Mandela, denies Trump’s allegations.
The Republican attack seemed to be designed, having in mind some members of his base political, especially the far -right and advocates of the superiority of the white race who have long been promoting the “White Genocide” narrative in South Africa.
South African President Ramaphosa to Trump: I am sorry, I don’t have a plane to give you.
— Geo View (@theGeoView)
Flirt Trump with the far -right
Presenting videos and photocopies of articles that “prove” violence against white farmers and characterizing agricultural reform in South Africa as a racial persecution, Trump reiterated allegations that are popular in the extremist circles of the US Right.
Since January and his return to the White House, Donald Trump has canceled aid to South Africa, deported the South African ambassador and has received Africa refugees.
The new agricultural reform of South Africa, which aims to restore apartheid’s injustices, allows land expropriations without compensation when they are made for the public interest, for example, when the earth is land. So far no such expropriation has been made. Owners, in any case, can appeal to the courts by requesting the cancellation of the decision.
“If one doubts that the incident with Zelenski was completely directed by the White House, I think he has to take out the parodies,” said British international commentator Tim Marshall speaking to Times Radio.
