“There is no genocide in South Africa,” he said during a press conference following the visit.
Trump’s surprise presentation mirrors his past behavior in high-stakes diplomatic meetings.
In February, he and Senator J.D. Vance similarly shocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with unexpected remarks during discussions about the war with Russia.
The meeting also came on the heels of Trump’s announcement of a proposed $175 billion “golden dome” missile defense system, part of his broader 2025 campaign vision, should he win re-election.
Context and Controversy
Trump has previously stirred controversy with remarks about South Africa’s land reform policies, especially regarding proposed changes to allow the expropriation of land without compensation.
