United States President Donald Trump caused an awkward stir during a White House luncheon with African leaders on Wednesday when he appeared surprised that Liberian President Joseph Boakai spoke fluent English, despite English being Liberia’s official language.
The moment came after President Boakai delivered brief remarks at the gathering, prompting Trump to commend his language skills in a way that left many observers puzzled.
“Thank you, and such good English… Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?” Trump asked the Liberian leader.
Boakai, a business graduate who speaks English as his first language like most Liberians, responded that he was educated in his home country. Though his face was turned away from the cameras, his muted tone suggested discomfort.
Trump, however, continued the exchange, undeterred by the setting and the presence of several other African heads of state.
“It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table can’t speak nearly as well,” Trump added.
The exchange drew attention to what many viewed as a surprising lapse in cultural and historical awareness, particularly regarding Liberia’s longstanding ties to the United States. Liberia was established in the 19th century by freed African Americans under the auspices of the American Colonization Society.
The country declared independence in 1847, and English was adopted as its official language.
While Liberia is home to a range of indigenous languages such as Kpelle, Mendi, and Kissi, English remains the primary language for education, government, and public life. President Boakai himself is fluent in English and literate in multiple local languages.
The incident adds to a pattern of controversial remarks by Trump involving African nations, including previous statements that referred to some countries as “shithole nations” and comments questioning why Nigerian visitors would want to return to their “huts.”
