US President Donald Trump complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai on his English-speaking skills during a White House lunch, despite English being the official language of Liberia. After Boakai delivered brief remarks, Trump asked, “Thank you, and such good English… Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?” Boakai, who speaks English as his first language, replied that he was educated in Liberia.
Trump’s comments drew criticism, with many viewing them as ignorant and condescending. “Asking the President of Liberia where he learned English when it’s literally the official language is peak ignorance,”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, wrote on X. “I’m pretty sure being blatantly offensive is not how you go about conducting diplomacy.” Boakai’s response hinted at awkwardness, and Trump’s continued remarks only added to the discomfort. “It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table can’t speak nearly as well,” Trump said.
The exchange highlights the complex history between the US and Liberia. Liberia was founded in the 1820s by freed American slaves, and English has been the country’s official language since its independence in 1847.
Today, Liberia remains linguistically diverse, with numerous indigenous languages spoken alongside English. Kpelle is the most widely spoken indigenous tongue, and many Liberians also use creolized dialects for everyday communication.
Liberia’s historical ties to the US are deep-rooted, and the country’s capital, Monrovia, was named after US President James Monroe, a supporter of the effort to establish Liberia as a state for freed American slaves.
Despite this connection, Trump’s comments reopened old wounds, with many Liberians feeling embarrassed and humiliated by the remarks. “We’ve been allies of the US for generations. Our flag is modeled after yours. Our people speak English. This shouldn’t be news to an American president,” said Moses Dennis, a Monrovia-based entrepreneur.
The incident is not the first time Trump’s comments about African nations have sparked controversy. In 2018, he referred to Haiti and several African countries as “shithole nations” during a closed-door meeting. The backlash from Trump’s comments on Boakai’s English proficiency underscores the challenges of diplomatic interactions and the importance of cultural sensitivity.