President Donald Trump lambasted an NBC reporter in the Oval Office during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The two leaders initiated their discussion by praising South Africa's golfers before transitioning to a press conference with journalists. He then began showing the South African President images on screen that seemed to depict white South Africans grieving for their loved ones.
This was meticulously planned in advance, as reported by the BBC. After the footage concluded, reporters started firing questions simultaneously, leaving Ramaphosa visibly taken aback and eager to respond.
Trump then addressed one NBC reporter, instructing him to "get out."
He berated, "What are you talking about? You've got to get out of here. What does this have to do with the Qatari jet? We are discussing a lot of other things - this is NBC trying to divert from the subject of what you just witnessed. You're a dreadful reporter. You don't have what it takes.", reports
Trump later added, "Return to your studio at NBC. You should be investigated - you're a disgrace. No more questions from you. His name is Peterson or something. He's a terrible reporter."
Before Trump's harsh remark, the mood in the room had reportedly already changed when Trump sprung an apparent 'ambush' on Ramaphosa.
During a video playback, Trump provided his reaction, stating, "It's a terrible sight. I've never seen anything like it."
Inquiring about the location, Ramaphosa asked Trump, "Have they told you where that is, Mr. President?" to which Trump responded with a no.
Ramaphosa expressed his curiosity about the footage's origin, having not recognised it himself, prompting Trump to clarify, "It's in South Africa."
The situation escalated when Trump confronted an NBC reporter while brandishing a sheaf of papers bearing images of white South Africans who he claimed were victims of murder.
Amidst the ensuing pandemonium, with journalists clamouring for attention, Ramaphosa addressed the allegations before deftly shifting the focus to trade matters. The BBC reports that the South African President remarked, "South Africa has a democracy that allows people to express themselves."
He further acknowledged the issue of crime in his country, stating, "There is criminality in our country," and emphasised, "and the people who get killed in South Africa are not only white people, but also include black people."
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