Trump's Oval Office is a danger zone for world leaders

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa got the Zelensky treatment while meeting President Trump Wednesday, with added special effects. The big picture: Visiting the White House is no longer just a coveted opportunity to earn goodwill with the president and credibility back home. Under Trump 2.0, it carries the risk of a presidential ambush.The visit immediately evoked the disastrous Feb. 28 meeting in which Trump and Vice President Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, shocking the world and setting a precedent.Even leaders who avoid a public flogging face prolonged and unpredictable on-camera spectacles, with Trump taking questions from a mix of mainstream and MAGA media and holding the floor for up to an hour. Trump's premeditated humiliation of Ramaphosa is likely to be on the minds of other leaders before they make plans to visit Washington.Driving the news: Ramaphosa came to D.C. in need of an urgent reset.On the basis of disputed claims of "white genocide" pushed by Elon Musk and others in his orbit, Trump cut off aid to South Africa, expelled South Africa's ambassador, and fast-tracked white South Africans for refugee status. Ramaphosa made clear that he hoped to reassure Trump on that topic and pivot to trade, with South Africa desperate to escape tariffs and renew a U.S.-Africa trade deal. Perhaps anticipating a Zelensky scenario, he brought South African golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen to try to keep things friendly.Ramaphosa may not have been reassured to see Musk in attendance, but the meeting started amicably enough. He lavished praise on Trump, while Trump described the South African president as well-respected "in some circles."About 20 minutes in, after Ramaphosa said "listening to the stories" of South Africans would help Trump better understand the situation, Trump sprung his trap."Mr. President, I must say that we have thousands of stories... we have documentaries, we have news stories. Is Natalie here?" Trump said, turning to his staff with an apparent reference to aide Natalie Harp."I could show you a couple things, and it has to be responded to," Trump told Ramaphosa, whose eyes suddenly went wide before he shared a bemused laugh with his staff."Turn the lights down and just put this on," Trump said. The lights went down, and the video began. "Kill... the.. white farmer." Trump subjected Ramaphosa to a five-minute compilation involving incitement against whites by extremist politicians whom Ramophosa opposes, before flipping through a stack of news printouts describing such attacks. The cameras kept rolling for another half hour, with Ramaphosa remaining determinedly upbeat and Trump firmly in control.Unlike Zelensky, Ramaphosa was not ejected from the Oval. When the press was finally ushered out, Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump officially began.By then, all the headlines had already been written.Zoom out: There are still potential upsides to visiting Trump's White House.Several leaders, most recently Canada's Mark Carney, have managed to hold their own or score minor wins.El Salvador's Nayib Bukele seemed to enjoy guest starring in the Trump show, while French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer tried a mix of flattery and persuasion to influence Trump on trade and Ukraine.But while one Oval Office disaster could be a fluke, two is starting to look like a trend.The bottom line: If Trump invites you into his office, enter at your own risk.

Comments

World news

Carlos Alba: The companies that drive us mad: do we only have ourselves to blame?

The Herald

Comments

Similar News

Trump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks to begin ‘immediately’

Anthony Scaramucci claims Elon Musk thinks ‘Trump is an idiot’

Trump&#8217;s “big beautiful bill,” briefly explained

Trump defies ethics warnings with private meme coin dinner

Supreme Court says Trump can fire agency heads for now, but insulates Fed

Trump’s new approach to foreign diplomacy: Oval Office smackdowns

Trump hits Springsteen with a golf ball in fake video as feud escalates

Trump, Netanyahu Condemn Killing of Israeli Embassy Staffers in D.C.

Trump Makes False Genocide Claims. South Africans Respond With Humor.

Why Trump is attacking universities and banning foreign students from Harvard

Trump blocks Harvard’s ability to enroll international students in major escalation of his war on college

Trump’s $5m ‘gold card’ visa set to launch in the coming days to help fast track rich immigrants

Senate Republicans vow changes to Trump megabill

Trump will be coming to Canada to attend G7 summit in June, White House confirms

Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students over antisemitism concerns

White South African farmer tells Sky News he's elated Trump grilled his president

Trump admin bars Harvard from enrolling international students

Trump administration ends Harvard's ability to enrol international students

Nearly half of Trump’s crypto sweepstakes winners lost money

The View has been told to tone done its anti-Trump rhetoric, report claims

World news

Carlos Alba: The companies that drive us mad: do we only have ourselves to blame?

Letters: Let's build the way to a better future for our young people

Amazon is slashing prices for one week only in 'first of its kind' sale

Scottish Government urged to issue update on public funding for Israel-linked firms

'We're not helpless victims': Europe-first Palestine art museum to open in Edinburgh

Letters: Drill, Mr Swinney, drill, and let's make the most of gas

'No flame' plea issued for weekend as all of Scotland at 'extreme' risk of wildfire

Avoid face cream and Nigel Farage to stay young but most importantly watch Eurovision

In a country where capitalism is king, exam scores can save families thousands

'May God never show you the things we've seen': Palestinian museum opens in Edinburgh

Swinney challenges Starmer to ‘drop ideological red lines’ ahead of EU summit

Trump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks to begin ‘immediately’

Firefighters battle Shotts blaze as wildfire continues into second day

'Biggest act of betrayal' UK extends EU fishing rights to 2038 in Brexit deal reset

What does the UK Government's post-Brexit deal mean for Erasmus in Scotland?

I studied abroad. This is why re-joining Erasmus+ should be welcomed

The right way to protest the Gaza blockade

The super-rich are lying to us. It’s time we turned the tables

What's it to be, Mr Swinney? Do you want to work with the EU or not?

£750 million spent on the ferries fiasco? Yes, and the rest...

Wildfire in Highlands forest sees fire crews battle blaze for second day

Pawns not prawns: Westminster politicians always sell out Scotland’s fishing fleet

It looks like only Reform is ready to fight for Scotland's future

'Our community is being attacked': Queer Glaswegians to call out Israel during Pride

Americans want to move to Scotland— they might want to think twice

Student to work with primary school in Ukraine to transform bomb shelter

New UK-EU deal branded ‘horror show’ by Scottish fishermen

'No platform': Protest to be held against controversial metal singer in Glasgow

Letters: Be in no doubt: the legal fight for trans rights will go on

Highlands forest wildfire continues as firefighters battle blaze for third day

Kerry Hudson: We're clearly not a fancy hotel family. How do other people manage it?

Letters: I'm so grateful for the SNP when I think of the harm Tories and Labour did

Herald Diary: Fancy some new worlds to conquer, Elon Musk? Go on, please...

UK 'working towards' re-joining Erasmus+ despite ruling out programme months ago

New UK–EU deal: What it means for Scotland

How do we stop Eurovision from being hijacked for Israeli propaganda?

Culbin Forest wildfire enters fourth day as helicopter brought in to battle blaze

20 Scottish mums start hunger strike in protest against Israel's actions in Gaza

Think about it, Mr Swinney: Why should fishermen have a veto over our EU deals?

John Swinney warns 'history will judge harshly' as he condemns Israel attacks on Gaza

Anthony Scaramucci claims Elon Musk thinks ‘Trump is an idiot’

Georgetown scholar recalls terror and 'mockery of due process' in immigration jail

Parents arrested after infant found living in home in ‘horrific’ conditions including a dead goat in the bathtub

Tributes pour in after drummer Daniel Williams and music agent Dave Shapiro named as victims in San Diego plane crash

Flight from hell after woman ‘makes false bomb threat’ before being tackled

Bono calls for Israel to be 'released from Netanyahu' in plea to 'stop war'

Netanyahu launches attack on Starmer, Macron and Carney after embassy shooting

Police charge 10 in drug and firearm investigation, two suspects outstanding

Man charged after police dog stabbed in Richmond, B.C.

Randall Hopley re-arrested hours after release from Mission, B.C prison

Blue Jays feeling confident in close games

Soaring number of Calgary Food Bank clients are working full-time jobs

10 road trip activities that don’t require screens

Trump&#8217;s “big beautiful bill,” briefly explained

Two terrible truths about the antisemitic murders in DC

Could Iranian Nukes Be a Business Opportunity for the U.S.?

Brit boy, 4, drowns in Tenerife hotel swimming pool despite lifeguards’ desperate attempts to save him

Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” briefly explained

Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” briefly explained