Trump Faces Backlash For Asking Liberian President Where He Learnt How To Speak English
President Donald Trump is facing backlash after asking Liberian President Joseph Boakai where he learnt to speak English so fluently.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during a roundtable with African leaders at the White House, where discussions focused on boosting U.S.–Africa relations and exploring investment opportunities.
Before seeking U.S. investment in Liberia, Boakai said, “Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States and we believe in your policy of making America great again,” while thanking Trump for inviting African leaders.
Reacting to Boakai’s eloquence, Trump said, “Such good English. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? In Liberia?”
“Yes, sir,” Boakai replied.
“That’s very interesting,” Trump continued. “I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”
The comment sparked outrage across social media, with users describing it as ignorant, patronising, and offensive.
@MissCentre wrote, “Not only is English the national language, Liberia was founded by White Americans for Black Americans. He has no knowledge of world history.”
@VesperAegus said, “It’s just unbelievable. You could stick Trump into a history lesson for third graders and every single 9-year-old there would give him a real run for his money.”
“Trump’s ignorance of Liberia’s official language and his administration’s harmful aid cuts expose a reckless disregard for global partnerships and human dignity,” wrote @RichardAngwin.
@Xray stated, “The man who vowed America wouldn’t be ‘a laughing stock’ just mocked Liberia’s national language – a nation founded by freed U.S. slaves speaking English since 1847. Trump’s ‘compliment’ reveals more than ignorance: it exposes a foreign policy that treats diplomacy like colonial cosplay.”
Liberia, located in West Africa and bordered by Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire, was founded in 1822 as a colony for freed Black Americans. It declared independence in 1847 and adopted English as its official language.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
