Malema Hits Back as Trump Calls for His Arrest Over Racially Charged Chant
SOUTH AFRICA – Julius Malema has dismissed discussions about him at the White House as political gossip after U.S. President Donald Trump questioned why he had not been arrested over his controversial chant, “Kill the Boer.”
The chant, originally derived from anti-apartheid struggle songs, has sparked intense debate in South Africa.
Critics argue that it incites violence against white farmers, while supporters contend it is a symbolic expression tied to historical resistance.
The song has faced multiple legal challenges, with courts issuing mixed rulings on whether it constitutes hate speech or political freedom.
Responding on X (formerly Twitter), Malema shrugged off Trump’s remarks, stating, “A group of older men meet in Washington to gossip about me.
“No significant amount of intelligence evidence has been produced about white genocide.”
He reaffirmed the EFF’s position on land expropriation without compensation, emphasizing that their political stance would not be altered for diplomatic convenience.
The controversy unfolded during a meeting between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Washington on Wednesday.
Trump played footage of Malema singing the chant, pressing Ramaphosa on why no action had been taken against him.
The U.S. president alleged that white farmers were fleeing South Africa due to violence, a claim that has been widely debated.
Ramaphosa, appearing uncomfortable, defended his government’s stance and distanced South Africa’s official policy from Malema’s statements.
At one point, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen intervened to clarify South Africa’s position.
The meeting, initially aimed at strengthening economic ties, took an unexpected turn as Trump focused on racial and political tensions in South Africa.
His remarks have placed further pressure on Pretoria as the debate over land reform and Malema’s rhetoric continues to spark international discussion.
According to The South African, the issue has reignited conversations about freedom of speech, political accountability, and racial divisions in the country.
