During a White House gathering intended to underscore U.S.-Africa relations, an unexpected exchange between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Liberian President Joseph Boakai took center stage.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, brought together the heads of state from Senegal, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Liberia.
While the discussions ranged from regional security to diplomatic cooperation, it was Trump’s reaction to President Boakai’s English that drew surprised looks from those in the room.
After listening to a series of translated remarks from the French, Portuguese, and Arabic-speaking leaders, Trump turned to Boakai — the only leader to address the room in English — and remarked, “Thank you and such good English. It’s beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?”
The question, delivered with apparent sincerity, seemed to miss a key historical fact: Liberia, founded by freed African-American slaves in the 19th century, has used English as its official language since 1822.
“Were you educated? Where? In Liberia?” Trump asked further.
Boakai responded politely, “Yes sir,” with a light chuckle.
Trump continued, “That’s very interesting. Beautiful English too. I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”
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The moment underscored the often tone-deaf nature of Trump’s unscripted diplomacy and prompted subtle awkwardness among the attendees.
Boakai, however, chose not to correct Trump or delve into Liberia’s American historical roots. Instead, he used his remarks to reaffirm Liberia’s long-standing partnership with the United States.
“Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States and we believe in your policy of making America great again,” Boakai said during his speech. “We want to work with the United States in peace and security within the region.”
Later in the meeting, Trump expressed his administration’s desire to deepen ties with African nations and hinted at a future visit to the continent.
The African leaders, in turn, offered praise for what they described as Trump’s global peace initiatives and even voiced support for his potential nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
While the diplomatic outcomes of the meeting remain to be seen, the linguistic misstep by the former president highlighted ongoing challenges in cultural awareness on the global stage.