CNN International correspondent Larry Madowo accused President Donald Trump on Wednesday of repeating “white supremacist” talking points during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The claim was made during a segment on CNN’s “News Central.”
Madowo criticized Trump for highlighting violent attacks on white farmers in South Africa, suggesting that his remarks aligned with far-right rhetoric. “President Ramaphosa brought his most diplomatic self. He is a skilled negotiator who once held brief for Nelson Mandela, but nothing could have prepared him for this multimedia ambush,” Madowo said.
According to Madowo, the Oval Office meeting included a 4.5-minute video montage that he described as a mixture of out-of-context footage and what he called “a laundry list of conspiracy theories.” He said the meeting marked “a very good day for white supremacists in South Africa” who, he argued, received unexpected “validation” from President Trump.
Madowo downplayed the targeting of white farmers, claiming the issue of rural violence in South Africa affects both black and white communities. “If 1,000 white farmers died in South Africa, it would be impossible to hide that,” he stated, implying that the numbers and reports raised by Trump were exaggerated or inaccurate.
He further accused Trump of giving credibility to what he believes are fringe narratives. “These are the talking points that President Trump repeated and brought before President Ramaphosa and his delegation, including very successful white South Africans,” Madowo said.
Madowo’s remarks reflect the broader media pushback against Trump’s efforts to spotlight attacks on South African farmers. The controversy continues to fuel debate over race, land reform, and the political dynamics between the U.S. and South Africa.
