CNN’s Larry Madowo is once again facing a vicious wave of hate after reporting facts many don’t want to hear. His coverage of a White House meeting between Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa triggered violent backlash—this time, with racist insults and new death threats. One email even urged him to kill himself. Madowo, known for fearless journalism, exposed the lie of "white genocide" in South Africa, sparking rage among extremists. Despite it all, he remains defiant, calling out hate with bravery few can match. The threats are chilling, but his voice is louder. The Larry Madowo death threats are more than personal—they reflect a growing hostility toward journalists who challenge lies with truth. [Photo: Courtesy] Larry Madowo Death Threats Multiply After Trump-Ramaphosa Report CNN international correspondent Larry Madowo has once again become a target. After covering a controversial meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, Madowo reported a fresh wave of death threats and racist abuse. The threats arrived through emails filled with hate and violence—one telling him to end his life.
Madowo’s crime? Fact-checking Trump’s claims about "white genocide" in South Africa.
“I fact-checked the 'white genocide' claims on CNN. Then came the racist hate mail,” Madowo revealed. The disturbing email, created using a new account just to reach him, contained racial slurs and threats of a prolonged, painful life. It wasn’t just crude—its intent was intimidation.
One message he shared publicly insulted him with racial slurs and cruel wishes, including a wish for cancer. Another went even further, calling him a propagandist and urging him to commit suicide. Madowo didn’t flinch. “I admire the commitment,” he wrote sarcastically, calling out the hate directly.
His fearless reporting sparked a reaction from racist corners of the internet. The backlash didn’t come from facts—it came from fury at a Black journalist who dared to call out falsehoods. Unmasking the White Genocide Lie Larry Madowo’s detailed breakdown exposed a disturbing truth: the "white genocide" claim is a myth fueled by political fear-mongering. During his CNN segment, Madowo explained how violent crime in South Africa affects all races—Black and white alike.
“Between April and December 2024, there were almost 20,000 murders in South Africa,” Madowo reported. “Of those, only 36 were farm murders. And of those 36, only seven were farmers.”
Why does that matter? Because the idea Trump pushed—of white South Africans being specially targeted—is statistically false. Most South African farmers are white, and most of their workers are Black. But the numbers don’t support the claim that whites are being hunted.
Violent crime is a real concern in South Africa, but it does not follow a racial agenda. The idea of white genocide has become a talking point among far-right groups. Madowo’s job was to report the facts. And the facts don’t lie. A Pattern of Racist Retaliation This isn’t the first time Madowo has faced backlash. The Kenyan-born journalist is no stranger to racist abuse. But what makes this wave of threats even more alarming is how organized it appears. The emailer created a fresh account just to send vile abuse directly to him.
“I got some racist reactions to my reporting on the Trump-Ramaphosa meeting, but this was my favourite,” Madowo said, mocking the absurd effort someone took to craft the hateful message.
This latest storm comes just days after Madowo revealed he was already receiving racist reactions from viewers. The difference now is the threats have become more personal and deadly.
Behind the crude insults is a dangerous belief that journalists who report uncomfortable truths should be silenced—especially when they are Black and global. Standing Strong Despite the Hate Larry Madowo’s reaction to these threats has been one of strength and sharp wit. He refuses to be silenced or intimidated. His tweets show a man deeply aware of the dangers he faces but equally unwilling to bow to them.
That resilience matters. Madowo represents a new generation of African journalists in international media—bold, sharp, and unafraid. He knows that the attacks are not just about him. They are about stopping stories that challenge racist narratives.
CNN has not released an official statement about the threats, but public support for Madowo has grown. Colleagues and viewers have praised his courage, calling him a truth-teller in dangerous times. While the hate mailers may think they are silencing him, they are only making his voice louder.