South African President Cyril Ramaphosa shared a witty moment with former US President Donald Trump during their recent Oval Office meeting, joking about not having a plane to offer Trump amid controversy over Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million Qatari aircraft. The encounter highlighted an unusual mix of humor and tension.
A plane? Sorry, none to spare: Ramaphosa’s playful jab at Trump’s jet drama
When South African President Cyril Ramaphosa landed in Washington for talks with Donald Trump, a reporter asked Trump about his much-discussed $400 million gift from Qatar—a luxury aircraft for the US Air Force. Without missing a beat, Ramaphosa quipped, “I don’t have a plane to give you,” poking fun at the media storm swirling around Trump.
Trump’s response was swift and cheeky, “If your country offered the United States Air Force a plane, I would take it.” The exchange sparked laughter, but the mood quickly darkened when a reporter pressed Trump on the ethics of accepting such a lavish present. Trump snapped, calling the journalist a “bad reporter” and shut down the line of questioning.
Ramaphosa’s attempt to defuse the tension with humor was both disarming and telling. “I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” he said, leaning back calmly as Trump declared again how much he wished South Africa had a plane to offer.
It was a brief moment of levity in a meeting that otherwise carried weighty discussions.
The heavier side: Trump’s video and Ramaphosa’s cool reaction
The Oval Office encounter wasn’t just about planes and jokes. Trump also pulled out a video he claimed showed “burial sites” of white farmers in South Africa, alleging targeted killings. He handed Ramaphosa articles that pushed this narrative.
Ramaphosa watched quietly, his face unreadable. He asked for the video’s source and politely pushed back on Trump’s claims, signaling the sensitivity and complexity behind these allegations.
It was a rare moment of restraint amid a conversation that had veered into contentious territory.
What’s behind the jet gift and the white farmers’ story?
Trump’s acceptance of the Qatari jet has stirred debate in Washington and beyond. Critics question the propriety of such a gift to a sitting or former president, citing potential conflicts of interest. Supporters, meanwhile, argue the plane will enhance military readiness.
The “white farmers” issue is another hot-button topic, tied to South Africa’s ongoing land reform struggles and racial tensions. Trump has repeatedly cited it as a human rights concern, but South African officials and many analysts argue the narrative oversimplifies a complex situation and can fuel misinformation.
Politics, planes, and a dash of humor — the making of a memorable Oval Office visit
That day in the Oval Office, Ramaphosa’s wit helped soften a moment that could’ve been much more tense. His playful jab about not having a plane to give Trump provided a brief, human moment amid high-stakes diplomacy.
Yet, the encounter also exposed the real friction points—questions about gifts, governance, and the narrative each leader tells their people and the world.
Whether this meeting will lead to stronger US-South Africa ties remains to be seen, but it certainly gave everyone something to talk about.
