During a luncheon at the White House with 5 African leaders on 9/7, US president Donald Trump expressed surprise at Liberian president Joseph Boakai's English fluency. "Your English is very good. Where did you learn it?", Trump asked Boakai, the president of Liberia, a country where English has been the official language since its founding in the 1800s.
Trump's compliment immediately sparked controversy and debate in Liberia. Foday Massaquio, chairman of an opposition party in Liberia, said Trump's comment showed "disrespect for foreign leaders," especially those from Africa.
"This shows that the West does not take us Africans seriously," Massaquio said.
Siokin Civicus Barsi-Giah, a close associate of former Liberian president George Weah, agreed that Trump should have known Liberians speak English. He called the White House exchange "condescending and mocking."
"President Boakai was not complimented. He was mocked by the president of the most powerful nation in the world," Barsi-Giah said.
Following the criticism on social media, Liberian foreign minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti posted on X on 10/7, stating that Trump's comment "simply recognized Liberia's familiar American accent and was not meant as an insult."
"Our linguistic heritage is deeply influenced by American culture, and President Trump acknowledged this," Nyanti wrote.
The White House declined to comment on whether Trump knew English is Liberia's official language.
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US president Donald Trump during a luncheon with African leaders at the White House on 9/7. Photo: *AFP* |
Abraham Julian Wennah, a researcher at Liberia's African Methodist Episcopal University, also believed Trump's comment was genuinely meant as praise.
"For some, Trump's remark may have seemed condescending, reflecting a long-standing Western tendency to express surprise when African leaders demonstrate intellect. However, considering Trump's conversational style, the remarks recognize Boakai's sophistication, intelligence, and readiness for global engagement," Wennah said.
Massad Boulos, a senior advisor to the US president on Africa, emphasized that Trump "genuinely praised the Liberian president's language skills," and those present at the event "greatly appreciated" the US president.
Liberia, meaning "Land of the Free," was established when the American Colonization Society, funded by the US Congress and slave owners, began transporting freed slaves to a coastal settlement in Africa in the 1820s. The capital, Monrovia, is named after then-US president James Monroe.
Thousands of African Americans migrated there, and Liberia declared independence in 1847, establishing a government to lead the indigenous population. It was the first independent republic in Africa.
Liberia's political system and flag are modeled after the US. Liberians often refer to the US as "big brother." The US maintains close ties with the West African nation.
Huyen Le (*AP, AFP*)
