The Trump admin’s relationship with the media is strained at best. And now it’s coming to a head.
And the White House Press Secretary shut down a reporter for one idiotic question.
White House Defends Video on South African Farmer Deaths
The Trump administration faced questions Thursday regarding a video presented by President Donald Trump during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, which depicted what Trump claimed were burial sites of white South African farmers.
The White House stood firm in defending the video’s credibility, asserting it highlighted serious issues of violence against farmers, despite challenges from reporters seeking clarification.
During a Wednesday Oval Office meeting, Trump showed a video displaying white crosses, which he described as marking approximately 1,000 burial sites of white Afrikaner farmers allegedly k*lled or forced off their land.
The video sparked controversy when NBC News reporter Yamiche Alcindor questioned its accuracy at a Thursday press briefing, stating, “We know that that was not true and that the video wasn’t true.”
She pressed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, asking, “What protocols are in place when there’s unsubstantiated information being put out for the world and world leaders?” The administration’s response emphasized its commitment to addressing the issue of farm violence.
Contentious Press Briefing Exchange
The discussion between Alcindor and Leavitt grew heated as they interrupted each other. Leavitt defended the video, asserting, “What’s unsubstantiated about the video? The video shows crosses that represent the dead bodies of people who were racially persecuted by their government. In fact, the Associated Press, of all places, has a picture of that very monument in the caption from the Associated Press is ‘Each cross marks a white farmer who has been k*lled in a farm m*rder.’”
She added, “So it is substantiated. But it’s not just by that video and the physical evidence that everybody saw on display in the Oval Office, but also by another outlet in this from the Associated Press. So you should take it up with them if you believe the claim is unsubstantiated. And that’s a ridiculous line of questioning.”
The Associated Press, citing South African local news, clarified that the crosses were part of a 2020 demonstration following the m*rder of a white farming couple, not actual graves.
The White House maintained that the video served as evidence of violence against farmers, supported by external reporting.
Leavitt’s reference to the Associated Press aimed to counter claims of misinformation, framing the video as a legitimate representation of a broader issue. The administration’s stance reflects its intent to bring global attention to the challenges faced by specific communities in South Africa.
Trump and Ramaphosa’s Exchange
During the meeting, Trump told Ramaphosa that the roadside sites are visited by those who “pay respects to their family member who was k*lled.” Ramaphosa responded, “Have they told you where that is, Mr. President? I’d like to know where that is. Because this I’ve never seen.”
Trump replied, “I mean, it’s in South Africa, that’s where,” to which Ramaphosa said, “We need to find out.” The dialogue revealed a gap in understanding, with Ramaphosa expressing unfamiliarity with the specific sites depicted, prompting further scrutiny of the video’s context.
The exchange highlights the complexities of addressing international issues in high-level diplomatic settings.
The Trump administration’s decision to showcase the video during Ramaphosa’s visit reflects a strategy to raise awareness about perceived injustices, even as questions about the video’s accuracy persist. The ongoing debate may influence how such claims are presented and verified in future discussions.
