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‘Where did you learn English?': Trump's gaffe leaves president of English-speaking Liberia bemused
US President Donald Trump indulged in yet another gaffe after he lauded the English of the president of Liberia, a country where English is the official language. On Wednesday, Trump was basking in the praise of a group of African leaders, right when Liberian President Joseph Boakai took the microphone.
'Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States, and we believe in your policy of making America great again,' President Joseph Boakai said in English at a White House meeting before advocating for US investment in his country. 'We just want to thank you so much for this opportunity," he added.
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Trump looked impressed by the Liberian president as he inquired where Boakai learned English from. 'Such good English, such beautiful …' Trump said. 'Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?' Boakai was left amused by the assertion and chuckled since English is the official language of Liberia.
🚨BREAKING: In a completely embarrassing moment, Donald Trump told the Liberian President 'you speak such beautiful English…where did you learn to speak so beautifully' - even though English is the NATIONAL LANGUAGE OF LIBERIA. The world is watching America humiliate itself. 🤡 pic.twitter.com/XothKZtbkf — CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) July 9, 2025
When Trump pressed on his query, 'In Liberia?', Boakai simply answered: 'Yes, sir'. 'That's very interesting, that's beautiful English', Trump said. 'I have people at this table who can't speak nearly as well.' The video of the whole exchange went viral online, with people trolling Trump.
Liberia, a colony for Black Americans
It is pertinent to note that Liberia was founded back in 1822 as a colony for free Black Americans. At that time, it was seen as the brainchild of white Americans trying to address what they saw as a problem – the future for Black people in the US once slavery ended.
While English is Liberia's first language, multiple Indigenous languages are spoken there as well. On Wednesday, Trump hosted the leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal at the White House, insisting that he is shifting the American approach to the continent.
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During the meeting, Trump emphasised to the African leaders that the United States is a better partner to Africa than China. During the meeting at the White House, many of the African leaders spoke their own languages through interpreters.
Trump maintained that his administration was committed to strengthening friendships in Africa, which he hoped to visit at some point. 'We're shifting from aid to trade,' he said at the start of a White House meeting. 'There's great economic potential in Africa, like few other places. In many ways, in the long run, this will be far more effective and sustainable and beneficial than anything else that we can be doing together.'
Meanwhile, African leaders lauded Trump for brokering peace deals around the world and expressed support for his receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. 'We are not poor countries. We are rich countries when it comes to raw materials. But we need partners to support us and help us develop those resources,' said Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, president of Gabon. 'You are welcome to come and invest. Otherwise, other countries might come instead of you," he added.
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With inputs from Reuters.
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