Trump applauds Liberian president’s ‘beautiful’ English
By Sabiu Abdullahi
United States President Donald Trump has drawn attention with remarks made during a meeting with African leaders at the White House, where he praised Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s English-speaking skills.
After Boakai delivered his remarks, Trump responded with visible admiration. “Such good English,” the president said.
He then asked, “Where were you educated? Where? In Liberia? Well, that’s very interesting. It’s beautiful English.”
He went further to say, “I have people at this table can’t speak nearly as well.”
The comments were made during a luncheon on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, attended by the leaders of Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau, among others.
The gathering was held to deepen ties following a recent executive order signed by Trump to enhance U.S. mineral output, with a focus on collaboration with resource-rich African countries.
President Boakai, who studied at the University of Monrovia and previously served in various senior roles under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, responded to Trump’s praise with a statement of friendship and alignment.
“Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States and we believe in your policy of making America great again,” Boakai said.
Trump’s remarks, however, sparked debate on social media and in the press. Some viewed them as complimentary, while others criticized the tone as condescending.
In defense of the president, a White House spokeswoman told The New York Times that “only the fake news could so pathetically pick apart President Trump’s heartfelt compliment during a meeting that marked a historic moment for U.S.-Africa relations.”
Liberia, located in West Africa and with a population of 5.7 million, was founded by freed Black Americans in the 1800s.
English is the country’s official language, although Liberian English and various indigenous languages are widely spoken.
The World Bank projects a 5 percent GDP growth for Liberia in 2025, driven largely by an expansion in the gold mining sector, along with improvements in agriculture and services.
The country’s reserves of rare Earth elements, including neodymium, have made it a point of interest for foreign investors, including the U.S.
Other African leaders at the White House also expressed interest in deepening economic cooperation with Washington and voiced support for policies that prioritize mutual benefit.
