President Donald Trump just lately hosted a gathering on the White Home with 5 African leaders, together with Liberian President Joseph Boakai. Whereas the gathering centered on constructing diplomatic ties and exploring financial partnerships, it was a remark made by Trump that shortly gained consideration on-line.
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In the course of the dialogue, Trump turned to President Boakai and stated, “Such good English, it’s stunning. The place did you be taught to talk so superbly?” Boakai replied that he was educated in Liberia, the place English is the official language. Trump responded with shock, including, “That’s very attention-grabbing. I’ve individuals at this desk who can’t communicate practically as nicely.”
For a lot of observers, particularly in Liberia, the comment felt patronizing. Liberia was based within the early 1800s by freed American slaves and has used English as its official language ever since declaring independence in 1847. A Liberian diplomat, talking anonymously to CNN, referred to as the remark “not acceptable” and “a bit condescending to an African president who’s from an English-speaking nation.”
South African politician Veronica Mente echoed this sentiment on social media, questioning why President Boakai didn’t merely stroll out in protest. In the meantime, Liberian youth advocate Archie Tamel Harris informed CNN that he felt “insulted” by Trump’s comment. “Our nation is an English-speaking nation. For him to ask that query, I don’t see it as a praise,” Harris stated.
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Regardless of the criticism, others defended the president’s intentions. White Home officers insisted the comment was a real praise. Massad Boulos, a senior advisor for Africa within the Trump administration, stated, “The continent of Africa has by no means had such a buddy within the White Home as they do in President Trump.”
Liberia’s Overseas Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti additionally downplayed the backlash, saying that President Boakai took no offense. “What President Trump heard distinctly was the American affect on our English in Liberia,” she defined. “We all know that English has completely different accents and varieties, and him recognizing our intonation wasn’t taken negatively.”
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This isn’t the primary time Trump has made headlines for remarks associated to international leaders’ English expertise. In a earlier assembly, he complimented German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on his English throughout a joint press convention.
Nonetheless, Trump’s historical past of controversial feedback about African nations—together with a 2018 reference to “shithole international locations”—made this second extra delicate for a lot of. Critics say the president’s shock at Boakai’s fluency reinforces outdated stereotypes about Africans and their training.
The broader assembly, nevertheless, was extra optimistic in tone. Trump praised the African nations represented—Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal—calling them “vibrant locations with priceless land, nice minerals, and fantastic individuals.” The leaders, in flip, praised Trump and expressed a powerful curiosity in working with the U.S. on financial growth.
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President Boakai even stated Liberia believes within the “coverage of constructing America nice once more,” signaling that regardless of the awkward second, Liberia stays open to constructing stronger ties with the USA.
Because the assembly wrapped up, reactions to Trump’s remark remained break up—some noticed it as a tone-deaf gaffe, whereas others noticed it as a misunderstood praise. What’s clear is that phrases nonetheless matter deeply in diplomacy, particularly when historic legacies are concerned.
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Trump Asks How Liberian Leaders Converse English—It’s Their Language
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