TRIBE VIBE: Trump-Ramaphosa Oval Office showdown sparks mixed views
Key topics:
BizNews audience praises calm diplomacy.
Frustration over focus on farm murders, ignoring wider issues.
Some view Trump’s theatrics as strategic leverage in talks.
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By BizNews Reporter
The BizNews community reactions to the Trump-Ramaphosa Oval Office showdown reflect mixed emotions - relief at the Rand’s resilience, frustration over missed issues, and cautious praise for the South African delegation. While some saw strategic gains for Trump, others hoped the global spotlight on farm murders and crime might catalyse much-needed domestic reform.
Alec Hogg sparked the conversation regarding the Trump-Ramaphosa meeting at the Oval Office on 21 May 2025.
A positive comment about the stability of the Rand.
Rand stable after gaining running into this meeting. Which is consistent with this being about the best Oval Office outcome hoped for. The delegation sometimes unwittingly raised issues that won’t help our cause - tourism doesn’t thrive when murder, rape, electric fences are endemic - but seem more interested in asking for help than exposing our flaws. Final analysis - Could have been much worse. Let’s hope the private meetings deliver concrete returns. Ernie and Retief added huge value showing what authenticity delivers. - Alec Hogg on BizNews Interactive Whatsapp group
The community mentions their disappointment in the lack of mentioning various issues in the country, other than farm murders.
...farm murders and crime are important but there are many other issues that don’t appear to have been raised.
- Tamra Capstick-Dale on BizNews Interactive Whatsapp group
A response:
Tamra I actually get why you are disheartened. I feel that John, Johan, Retief and Ernie put the warts on the table, and that was good. I am hoping that the attention actually stays on the country and government going forward so that there is external and internally forced change. I believe good can come from today as strange as that sounds.
- Shane on BizNews Interactive Whatsapp group
Is Trump's strategy working?
A member highlights that the meeting went the way Trump had planned.
Trump definitely strengthened the USA's negotiating position.
The SA team are now on the back foot in the trade negotiations currently going on & likely to be more agreeable.
Definitely part of Trump's strategy.
- Jacques Poupard on BizNews Interactive Whatsapp group
Praise for the South Africans at the Oval Office last night
The work of our leaders is appreciated by the BizNews community.
Johan Rupert spoke and acted as the President of South Africa today.
He defended South Africa (even better than the DA) he did deserve to be there, he has helped improve the image of South Africa 🇿🇦 globally today. Well done to Ramaphosa for having taken him 🙏🏾
Steenhuisen was good and bad!! He did nothing to defend South Africa and instead was playing party politics, you dont play parry politics on the interest of the nation which is 🇿🇦. Johan Rupert is who we need don’t listen to the politicking.
Situation was tense and we needed him. Im just glad now we can move along and all the lies so far have been caught because u say again CRIME AFFECTS US ALL NOT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.
Lastly, I expected that there wouldn't be fireworks, and I'm glad that didn't happen. Love 🇿🇦 now let's build and sort crime.
- ZiphoB on BizNews Interactive Whatsapp group
The state of South Africa is highlighted.
South Africa's current state - shown to the world - is described as humiliating.
Jees - having just rewatched this whole press briefing … it’s so embarrassing for South Africa … I mean to sit there having to explain the state of our country like this … ridiculous
- Max Pichulik on BizNews Interactive Whatsapp group
Trump made the world aware of the farm murders that have occurred in South Africa - and the community emphasises the importance of this.
The damage of the white crosses has been done, internationally. Any further attempts to discredit that info will simply keep it on the front pages. Its lose:lose for the ANC, not that they will see it like that.
- Neville Berkowitz on BizNews Interactive Whatsapp group