Trump's False Claims: Misleading Images in Oval Office Meeting

On May 21, 2025, during an Oval Office meeting, former President Donald Trump presented South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with images he claimed were evidence of the burial of white farmers in South Africa. However, Reuters swiftly debunked this claim, revealing that the images were screenshots from their own video footage taken in the Democratic Republic of Congo in February 2025. The footage documented humanitarian workers burying victims of clashes between M23 rebels and the Congolese army. Following the meeting, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, defended Trump's assertion during a press briefing. When challenged by NBC News reporter Yamiche Alcindor, Leavitt insisted the video showed what the president claimed, despite the clear evidence to the contrary. This incident highlights the spread of misinformation and the importance of fact-checking in political discourse. The Reuters video journalist, Djffar Al Katanty, expressed shock at Trump's misrepresentation of his work. The contrast between Trump's assertion and the reality revealed by Reuters underscores the need for responsible reporting and the dangers of unchecked claims by powerful figures.