President Trump’s praise for Liberia’s leader over his English skills sparks mixed reactions, as English is the official language of Liberia.

During a meeting with African leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House on July 9, President Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his fluent English.

However, the remark quickly drew mixed reactions, as English is the official language of Liberia.

Controversial Praise

“Your English is amazing. Where did you learn to speak so well?” Trump asked President Boakai during their conversation.

Boakai responded that he learned it in Liberia, which surprised the U.S. president: “That’s interesting. Not everyone at this table speaks as well,” implying that other West African leaders present, who primarily speak French, were less proficient.

Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Society (ACS) to resettle freed slaves. It declared independence in 1847. Today, while multiple languages are spoken in Liberia, English remains the official language.

Though Trump’s comment was personal and admiring, some Liberians felt it revealed a lack of understanding of their country’s cultural and historical context.

“I feel insulted because our country is an English-speaking nation,” Liberian youth activist Archie Tamel Harris told CNN. “I don’t see that as a compliment.”

An unnamed Liberian diplomat also called the remark “inappropriate,” as it seemed to diminish a leader from an English-speaking country.

Liberia - Image 2.

Liberia’s Response

In response to the backlash, the White House press office defended Trump’s praise. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly called it a “sincere compliment” and emphasized Trump’s efforts to promote global stability and support African nations.

Senior Africa advisor Massad Boulus denied that the remark caused discomfort: “I was in the room, and everyone appreciated President Trump’s time and attention. Africa has never had a friend in the White House like Trump.”

Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti also stated that the country took no offense.

“President Boakai was not upset by the comment. Many people don’t understand Africa’s linguistic diversity and accents. For us, Trump recognizing the distinctiveness of [Boakai’s] American-influenced accent was simply acknowledging a familiar version of English,” she said.

Trump has made similar remarks in other diplomatic settings. During a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he praised Merz’s English and joked whether it was as good as his own German. Merz laughed and said he always tries to “speak as well as possible.”

In past speeches, Trump has emphasized English’s role in his “America First” policy. In March, he signed an executive order declaring English the official language of the U.S.

According to AFP, a viral video claiming Trump said “Africa’s resources belong to America” was fake news.

White House

The White House, located in Washington, D.C., is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. Completed in 1800, it was designed by James Hoban in a neoclassical style and has served every U.S. president since John Adams. The building was burned by British forces during the War of 1812 but was later restored and expanded, becoming a symbol of American democracy and governance.

American Colonization Society (ACS)

The American Colonization Society (ACS), founded in 1816, was an organization that sought to relocate free African Americans to Africa, believing this would resolve racial tensions in the U.S. and promote Christianity. In 1822, it established the colony of Liberia, which became an independent republic in 1847. While some saw it as a humanitarian effort, critics argued it reinforced racism by avoiding the abolition of slavery and true integration.

CNN

CNN (Cable News Network) is a major American news-based pay television channel founded in 1980 by media mogul Ted Turner. It was the first television network to provide 24-hour news coverage and became globally recognized for its live reporting of major events, such as the Gulf War in 1991. Today, CNN operates worldwide, offering news in multiple languages and across various platforms, influencing modern journalism with its real-time reporting style.

Liberia

Liberia is a country on the West African coast, founded in 1847 by freed African-American and Caribbean slaves through the efforts of the American Colonization Society. It is Africa’s first modern republic and was established as a settlement for freed Black people from the U.S., though this led to tensions with indigenous groups. Monrovia, its capital, is named after U.S. President James Monroe, and Liberia’s history reflects both its unique origins and struggles with political instability and civil war in the late 20th century.