U.S. President Donald Trump is under fire for a comment he made during a meeting with African leaders, where he praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for speaking “beautiful English.” This remark has drawn criticism as it highlights Trump’s apparent ignorance of basic geopolitical facts, particularly since English is Liberia’s official language.
The comment occurred during a formal gathering with leaders from multiple African nations, including Gabon and Senegal. Trump’s question about where Boakai learned to speak so well quickly went viral, leading to a wave of social media backlash.
Critics, including political commentators, have labeled his remark a “national embarrassment,” pointing out that it reflects a lack of understanding of Liberia’s historical ties to the United States. Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for freed African Americans, and English has remained its official language since its independence in 1847.
Many users on social media criticized Trump for making patronizing comments about a country with deep cultural connections to America. The incident adds to a pattern of controversial statements he has made regarding foreign leaders, particularly those from African nations, which some argue harm diplomatic relations and perpetuate outdated stereotypes.
