President Donald Trump drew criticism Wednesday, July 9, after asking Liberian President Joseph Boakai where he learned to speak English so well during a White House meeting with African leaders, apparently unaware that English is the official language of the West African nation.
The exchange occurred during a lunch meeting in the State Dining Room as Trump hosted leaders from five African countries, including Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Senegal, alongside Liberia. After Boakai delivered remarks supporting Trump’s policies, the President responded with what he intended as a compliment.
Trump stated, “Such good English, that’s beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?” When Boakai indicated he was educated in Liberia, Trump expressed surprise, adding that he had people at the table who could not speak English nearly as well.
The moment created an awkward silence, with Boakai responding to Trump’s questions with polite chuckles and brief confirmations. The Liberian president had walked more than 300 miles twice from his rural village to the capital city of Monrovia in pursuit of education, eventually attending one of the country’s top secondary schools.
English serves as Liberia’s national language due to the country’s unique founding history. The nation was established in 1822 by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for freed American slaves and free Black Americans. Many current Liberians are descendants of these early settlers who arrived beginning in the 1820s, with approximately 12,000 African Americans immigrating to the territory between 1820 and 1861.
The country declared independence in 1847, becoming Africa’s oldest modern republic and establishing a constitution modeled after America’s founding document. Ten of Liberia’s 26 presidents were born in the United States, reflecting the deep historical connections between the two nations. The capital city of Monrovia was named after President James Monroe, who supported the colonization effort.
Trump’s comments sparked immediate backlash from political figures and observers online. Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas characterized the remarks as racist and ignorant, noting that asking the president of Liberia where he learned English when it is the official language demonstrated peak ignorance. Former Representative Adam Kinzinger described the exchange as ridiculous.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended Trump’s remarks, describing them as a heartfelt compliment during a historic moment for United States-Africa relations. Trump adviser Massad Boulos, who attended the meeting, emphasized that the president was complimenting the Liberian leader’s language skills and that all participants were appreciative of Trump’s time.
Liberian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sara Beysolow Nyanti addressed the controversy on Thursday, July 10, 2025, indicating that Liberian officials took no offense from the president’s remarks. She explained that their linguistic heritage is deeply American-influenced and that Trump simply recognized this connection. Nyanti emphasized that Liberia remained committed to strengthening ties with the United States based on mutual respect and shared values.
The incident reflects a pattern of Trump commenting on the English skills of foreign leaders and international reporters. Earlier in his presidency, he told an Indian reporter to speak louder during a press conference, stating he could not understand the accent. He also had a translator interpret questions from English-speaking Indian reporters in the Oval Office.
The meeting with African leaders served multiple diplomatic purposes beyond ceremonial exchanges. According to reports, Trump was seeking agreements for the five countries to accept migrants deported from the United States, with memos sent to the nations requesting they resettle such individuals. The administration previously brokered a similar arrangement with Panama and had sent migrants to South Sudan.
Trump also used the gathering to counter Chinese influence in Africa as major powers compete for access to the continent’s natural resources. He referenced a recent peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda that secured mineral rights for the United States, particularly for rare earth metals, including coltan, tungsten, and gold from the eastern Congolese province of Kivu.
The exchange highlighted the complex relationship between the United States and Liberia, two nations whose histories remain deeply intertwined despite geographical separation. While Trump’s comments were intended as praise, they underscored gaps in understanding about Africa’s linguistic and colonial history among American officials.
