U.S. President Donald Trump has come under fire for remarks made during a meeting with African leaders on Wednesday, in which he praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his English proficiency — despite English being the official language of Liberia.
Hosting five African heads of state at the White House, Trump turned to President Boakai and remarked: “Such good English, it’s beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?” Boakai responded that he was educated in Liberia, prompting Trump to express surprise, saying: “That’s very interesting. I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”
Liberia’s History
Liberia, founded in 1822 by freed African-American slaves under the auspices of the American Colonization Society, has had English as its official language since gaining independence in 1847.
Trump’s remark sparked backlash among Liberians and across social media, with many perceiving the comment as patronizing and reflective of outdated stereotypes about Africa.
“I felt insulted because our country is an English-speaking country,” said Archie Tamel Harris, a youth advocate in Liberia. “For him to ask that question, I don’t see it as a compliment. I feel that the US president and people in the West still see Africans as people in villages who are not educated.”
A Liberian diplomat, speaking anonymously to CNN, also criticized the remark as “a bit condescending to an African president who’s from an English-speaking nation.”
In response to the controversy, the White House defended President Trump. Massad Boulos, senior advisor for Africa, said, “Everyone was deeply appreciative of the President’s time and effort. The continent of Africa has never had such a friend in the White House as they do in President Trump.”
Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly added that the comment was a “heartfelt compliment” and accused the media of twisting Trump’s intentions. “President Trump has already done more to restore global stability and uplift countries in Africa and around the world than Joe Biden did in four years,” she said.
Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti sought to diffuse tensions, saying President Boakai took no offense. “What President Trump heard distinctly was the American influence on our English in Liberia, and the Liberian president is not offended by that,” she said. “We know that English has different accents and forms.”
Trump has previously made similar comments about the English-speaking abilities of foreign leaders. During a press event with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he praised Merz’s English and asked if it was as good as his German. Merz responded with laughter, saying he tries to understand “almost everything.”
Language has long been central to Trump’s nationalist messaging. In March, he signed an executive order declaring English the official language of the U.S., part of his “America First” platform.
Trump’s comment to Boakai is the latest in a series of controversial remarks about Africa. In 2018, he referred to some African and other developing nations as “shithole countries,” and earlier this year, he repeated false claims about genocide against White farmers in South Africa during a conversation with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
However, at Wednesday’s meeting, Trump struck a more diplomatic tone, calling the five visiting nations — Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal — “vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, great oil deposits, and wonderful people.”
The African leaders responded warmly, encouraging U.S. investment and praising Trump’s engagement. President Boakai even remarked that “Liberia believes in the policy of making America great again.”
Source: CNN
