U.S. President Donald Trump is facing criticism after praising Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his “good English” during a meeting with African leaders at the White House.
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As Trump hosted leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal, he turned to Boakai and asked, “Such good English, it’s beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?” Boakai responded that he was educated in Liberia, where English is the official language.
The remark has since sparked a wave of criticism across Africa. Many saw it as tone-deaf and patronizing, especially given Liberia’s long-standing use of English and its historical ties to the United States.
“I felt insulted,” said Archie Tamel Harris, a Liberian youth advocate. “Our country speaks English. That question wasn’t a compliment, it was ignorance.”
A Liberian diplomat told CNN the comment was “not appropriate” and “condescending,” especially coming from someone with a controversial history regarding African nations.
South African politician Veronica Mente even questioned why President Boakai did not walk out in protest.
In defense, White House officials, including senior Africa advisor Massad Boulos and deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, insisted the comment was a “heartfelt compliment” and that Trump had shown deep respect for Africa.
Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti downplayed the incident, stating that President Boakai took no offense.
She noted that Trump may have simply been responding to the familiar American intonation in Liberian English.
Trump has made similar remarks before. He once complimented German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on his English, comparing it to his German.
However, critics argue these comments often reflect a superficial understanding of global cultures and language dynamics.
This latest incident resurfaces concerns about Trump’s past remarks on African countries, including his infamous 2018 reference to some nations as “shithole countries.”
Despite the backlash, Trump praised the visiting African leaders and their countries as having “valuable land, great minerals, and wonderful people.”
President Boakai, for his part, responded diplomatically, stating that Liberia supports Trump’s “Make America Great Again” policy.
