President Donald Trump lashed out at NBC News reporter Peter Alexander during an Oval Office appearance with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, following a question about a $400 million Boeing 747 jet donated by Qatar for temporary use as Air Force One.
The exchange quickly turned combative when Alexander pressed Trump for details on the military’s acceptance of the aircraft. Trump fired back, calling Alexander a “terrible reporter” and accusing NBC of ignoring more serious global issues. He redirected the conversation to alleged violence against white farmers in South Africa, a topic he had just addressed in a tense presentation during the meeting.
Trump had shown Ramaphosa a video claiming racially targeted attacks in South Africa, which Ramaphosa strongly refuted, stating that crime in the country affects all citizens, not just one group.
Despite the fiery moment, the two leaders ended the meeting on a diplomatic note. Ramaphosa jokingly remarked that he hadn’t brought a plane as a gift, prompting Trump to quip that he’d be happy to accept one in the future.
The incident highlighted both the strained relationship between Trump and the media, as well as the delicate balance of international diplomacy amid heated domestic and foreign policy debates.