During a meeting with South Africa's president, Donald Trump doubled down on his controversial "white genocide" claim by showing a photo he said depicted the burial of white farmers in South Africa—except the image was actually from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also presented a video of a memorial site, falsely linking it to violence against white South Africans. The incident highlights Trump’s reliance on misleading visuals to push divisive rhetoric.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a factual error—it’s a high-profile example of how misinformation can shape political narratives. When world leaders use debunked or misattributed material to support inflammatory claims, it fuels distrust and polarization. For South Africa, where racial tensions and land reform debates are already sensitive, this kind of rhetoric risks inflaming divisions even further.

During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Donald Trump reportedly showed a photo from a burial in the Democratic Republic of Congo—misidentifying it as evidence of murdered white farmers in South Africa. Reuters fact-checkers quickly debunked the image, adding another layer of controversy to the discussion.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a mix-up—it’s a reminder of how easily false claims, even from high-profile leaders, can shape sensitive conversations. The incident fuels debates about land reform and racial tensions in South Africa, while also spotlighting the risks of unchecked misinformation in diplomacy. Not a great look when you’re trying to discuss real issues.

During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Donald Trump presented what he claimed was evidence of "white genocide" in South Africa—but some of the images were actually from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and others were misleading or outright false. The incident highlights how misinformation can creep into high-level diplomatic discussions.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a factual error—it’s a reminder of how easily false claims, even from world leaders, can shape narratives around sensitive issues like racial violence. When evidence is misrepresented in such high-stakes settings, it risks inflaming tensions and undermining trust in political discourse.

President Trump recently shared a misleading image claiming to show dead white farmers in South Africa—but it was actually from an unrelated conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The photo was taken during clashes with Rwanda-backed rebels, not South Africa’s controversial land reform debates. This mix-up adds to concerns about the spread of misinformation, especially when it involves high-profile figures.

Editor’s Note: When world leaders share inaccurate or mislabeled content, it can fuel false narratives and deepen divisions. In this case, the error risks muddying already heated discussions around South Africa’s land policies—and underscores how easily images can be taken out of context, even at the highest levels.

During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Donald Trump reportedly used a misleading photo—actually from the Democratic Republic of Congo—to support his claim that White South Africans are facing "genocide." The incident highlights Trump's controversial stance on South Africa's racial tensions, which experts and fact-checkers have repeatedly disputed.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just about a wrong photo—it's a high-profile example of how misinformation can shape international discussions. Trump's claim, already widely debunked, risks inflaming racial divisions and undermining trust in factual discourse. For South Africans, it adds another layer of tension to an already sensitive issue. For the rest of the world, it's a reminder of how easily false narratives can spread at the highest levels.

During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Donald Trump presented claims and videos about the killing of South African farmers—but fact-checkers say his evidence is misleading or outright wrong. The exchange highlights how misinformation can shape high-level diplomatic discussions.

Editor’s Note: When world leaders spread unverified claims, it can escalate tensions or distort real issues. In this case, Trump’s inaccurate statements about South Africa’s farm violence could strain relations or fuel divisive narratives. It’s a reminder of how easily falsehoods can slip into global politics—and why fact-checking matters, even at the highest levels.