The remarks from the leader of the far-left party Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema, served as evidence for U.S. President Donald Trump to question South African President Cyril Ramaphosa about the persecution of white farmers in South Africa. When a reporter asked, "What do you want President Ramaphosa to do about the situation?" Trump replied, "I don’t know; look at the stories of those who have died in recent days." Trump played a video showing a road lined with thousands of crosses, claiming it to be a burial site for many victims, which left Ramaphosa puzzled as it was later confirmed to be an art installation from a protest in 2020.

Trump accused the South African government of allowing land to be taken, resulting in the deaths of white farmers, to which Ramaphosa replied, "No, they didn’t." South African billionaire Johann Rupert commented that deaths occur broadly and are not limited to white farmers, stressing the need for technological assistance.

Since Trump took office, relations between the U.S. and South Africa have deteriorated due to land reform and racial issues, with former ambassador Ebrahim Rasool expelled under claims of "inciting racial hatred". Ramaphosa’s visit, aiming to break diplomatic deadlock and improve trade relations, included high-profile business associates and a detailed book on South African golf courses as a gift for Trump. The press conference escalated when a reporter from NBC questioned Trump, prompting him to label major networks as fake news.