Larry Madowo Threatened after Fact-Checking Donald Trump's South Africa White Genocide Report
- Larry Madowo exposed misinformation about violent crime in South Africa, revealing that the images Donald Trump used were from the Democratic Republic of Congo, not South Africa
- After fact-checking Trump’s 'white genocide' claims, Madowo faced a surge of racist abuse and death threats, including disturbing emails wishing him harm
- Despite the harassment, Madowo responded with resilience and sarcasm, underscoring the dangerous spread of misinformation while netizens backed him
Veteran media personality and CNN international correspondent Larry Madowo has found himself at the centre of a storm following his recent fact-checking.
Source: Facebook
Why was Larry Madowo subjected to hate?
The journalist recently fact-checked a report on claims made by US President Donald Trump regarding a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa.
Madowo’s detailed report, which debunked falsehoods surrounding violent crime in South Africa, triggered a barrage of threats, racist abuse, and hate messages directed at him.
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The journalist took to social media to share screenshots of some of the vile emails he had received after his fact-checking segment aired.
“I fact-checked President Trump’s ‘white genocide’ claims on CNN. Then came the racist hate mail,” Madowo wrote.
One particularly disturbing email, sent from a suspiciously created account, contained threatening wishes, including hopes that Madowo would suffer a terminal illness.
The email was filled with racist and s*xually explicit slurs.
The message ominously ended with the line:
“It’s gonna be a long four years,” a pointed reference to the duration of Trump’s presidency.
Despite the hostility, Madowo maintained his composure and even injected some sarcasm into his response to the abuse.
“This person created a new email address just to be racist to me. I admire the commitment,” he quipped.
Source: Getty Images
Was there white genocide in South Africa?
Madowo’s fact-check, backed by Reuters' report, explained how violent crime in South Africa affects all races, both Black and white, contradicting Trump’s narrative.
During Trump’s controversial meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump held up images purportedly showing 'dead white farmers' who he claimed were victims of targeted violence.
However, Madowo’s investigation and Reuters' report revealed the truth behind the images.
The pictures were not from South Africa but were actually from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They were captured by a Reuters journalist who confirmed that the footage showed humanitarian workers lifting body bags in Goma after a deadly assault by the rebel group M23.
The image Trump displayed was a screengrab from that footage, misrepresented as evidence of white farmers being killed in South Africa.
See Madowo's post and fact-checker below:
Here are some social media reactions:
It'srealme It'srealme:
"Give us email we send greetings we never disappoint as Kenyans."
Isusta Kevin:
"It seems like we as Kenyans we have been chosen by God to shape nations we will not get tired of the responsibility given to us. bring the email,or else we forward that mail to their president ASAP. Akuje tumsalimie."
Charles Angoro Jr:
"Tulinde taifa letu."
Beautiful British Columbia:
"Tell him to take care, online war between Kenyans and USA would bring internet a stand still."
Robert Mutinda Muthama Jnr:
"This shows how important what you are doing is. Never relent, never fear those who don't know can only take life but cannot touch the soul. Larry Madowo bro continue advocating for what is morally right and God is on your side."
Did Larry Madowo clash with matatu driver?
In an Instagram post, Madowo shared footage of a matatu driver who veered into his lane, prompting him to respond.
The video showed the matatu reversing and then moving to the right side as Larry filmed the incident.
As the matatu passed, the driver hurled insults, accusing Larry of being stubborn because of his ‘little money.’
Larry explained that he regularly blocks drivers who misuse the road, and this often leads to angry and abusive reactions.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
