Trump Sparks Controversy with Malema Video During Diplomatic Meeting

Julius Malema's controversial presence looms large over a meeting between President Trump and President Ramaphosa, as Trump showcases apartheid-era chants, igniting discussions on race and land redistribution in South Africa.

Julius Malema, a significant South African political figure, dominated discussions during an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday between President Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, even though he was not present. The White House screened a provocative video montage that included Malema's chants from the apartheid era, a move that sparked immediate controversy and underscored Trump's ongoing critique of racial violence against the white population in South Africa.

At 44, Malema is the fiery leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a political party he founded over a decade ago that champions the redistribution of land owned by whites to Black South Africans. Despite its audacious stance, the EFF garnered less than 10% of the votes in South Africa's 2024 elections. Following the White House's display, Malema responded sharply via a statement on X, emphasizing the lack of credible evidence for claims of white genocide and dismissing the meeting as "a group of older men meeting in Washington to gossip about me."

Malema's notoriety surged in 2023 when he incited a rally with the phrase "Kill the Boer," targeting Afrikaner farmers who have historical ties to the apartheid regime. His confrontational approach and rhetoric reflect the deep-seated issues surrounding race and inequality in South Africa, making him a contentious figure on both domestic and international stages.