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Americast

Why did Trump ambush the South African president?

Americast

BBC

Politics, Government, News

4.22.8K Ratings

🗓️ 22 May 2025

⏱️ 38 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa went to the White House in hope of a ‘reset’ with the USA on trade and asylum laws. What he got was a choreographed presentation from Donald Trump with allegations of a white genocide taking place in South Africa, with stark parallels to the infamous Zelensky meeting in the Oval Office.

Justin, Anthony, and Sarah convene to check the fact on Trump’s assertions, and discuss why the confrontation might really be a message to his MAGA supporters.

Plus, Justin speaks to Robyn Cunrow, former CNN correspondent in Johannesburg and host of the Searching for America podcast, to find out more about the relationship between the US and South Africa.

HOSTS: - Justin Webb, Radio 4 Presenter - Sarah Smith, North America Editor - Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

GUEST: - Robyn Curnow, former CNN Africa correspondent

GET IN TOUCH: - Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB - Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 - Email [email protected] - Or use #Americast

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

BBC Sounds, Music, radio, podcasts.

0:04.9

On Wednesday, there were echoes of Zelensky's visit to the White House back in February,

0:09.4

and that's because Donald Trump has ambushed another world leader in the Oval Office.

0:14.3

This time, the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa,

0:18.1

who was forced to watch a video in front of a reporters in the Oval Office

0:21.5

promoting what it is fair to say are discredited claims of a white genocide in South Africa.

0:28.7

So why has Donald Trump used the Oval Office again to confront another U.S. ally?

0:34.8

And why South Africa? Welcome to Ameriast.

0:40.2

AmeriCast. Ameriast.

0:41.0

Ameriast from BBC News.

0:43.4

You're gambling with the lives of millions of people.

0:46.1

You're gambling with World War III.

0:48.4

President Trump's message is very simple.

0:50.4

We are done being taken advantage of.

0:52.2

Mr. President, in the name of our God,

0:54.7

have mercy upon the people, and we're scared now.

0:57.6

Are you supportive of these onesies?

0:59.8

I'm supportive of vaccines.

1:01.3

What is happening?

1:02.5

Like, this is not America.

1:04.2

This is a terrible nightmare.

1:05.7

This is what victory feels like.

...

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