Code Switch What Trump's fixation on 'white genocide' in South Africa tells us about the U.S.
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Jun 4, 2025 John Elago, the Johannesburg bureau chief for The New York Times, sheds light on the bizarre trajectory of the 'white genocide' conspiracy from fringe circles to the White House. He recounts a revealing encounter between Trump and South African President Ramaphosa, where Trump's fixation on the conspiracy surfaced. The discussion dives into how this narrative ties into broader anxieties about demographic shifts in the U.S. and the implications for race relations, misinformation, and global diplomacy.
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Trump's Oval Office Video Moment
- During Trump's Oval Office meeting, he abruptly focused on the white genocide conspiracy by showing a provocative video.
- The South African president and delegation appeared uncomfortable and tried to downplay the narrative in response.
Origins of Trump's Fixation
- Trump privately discussed white genocide in South Africa years before publicly.
- His attention came from friends like golfer Gary Player and right-wing media such as Tucker Carlson.
White Genocide Minority Viewpoint
- The white genocide narrative in South Africa is a fringe opinion even among white South Africans.
- Some mainstream politicians still exploit violence concerns to appeal to right-wing voters, feeding the narrative's persistence.