On Monday, President Donald Trump criticized media outlets for what he described as their failure to cover the “genocide” against South African farmers.
His remarks were made just prior to his departure to the Middle East, during a signing event in the Roosevelt Room, coinciding with the administration’s effort to welcome refugees who have faced land seizures and racism.
“It’s a genocide that your people don’t want to write about, but it’s a horrible thing happening and farmers are being killed,” Trump stated. “They happen to be white, but whether they’re white or black, it’s no different to me.”
He continued, “White farmers have been brutally killed, their land confiscated in South Africa, and the media – both print and broadcast – don’t even address it. If it were happening the other way around, it would be the only story they covered.”
Trump reiterated that he is indifferent to race or other characteristics.
“And I don’t care who they are. I don’t care about their race, their color, my height, their weight. I don’t care about anything,” he remarked.
Later that day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reflected Trump’s sentiments in a post on X.
He stated, “As [Trump] ensures, Africans fleeing persecution are welcomed in the United States.” Rubio added, “The South African government has treated these people poorly – threatening to seize their private land and exposing them to abhorrent racism. The Trump administration is proud to offer them refuge in our great country.”
Olivia Rondeau, a Capitol Hill reporter for Breitbart News, was present at Dulles Airport as the South African refugees arrived.
Rondeau questioned Deputy Chief Chris Landau about examples of discrimination that drew the administration’s focus.
Landau highlighted the threats faced by farmers and mentioned several vocal South African politicians who have made statements such as “kill Boer and kill Africans.”
“These people have lived under the shadow of violence and fear for a long time,” he added.
Claims of discrimination from the South African government have been rejected.
