'Where Did You Learn That?': Trump Trolled For Praising Liberian President's English
US President Donald Trump faced backlash on social media after he praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for speaking 'such good English" during a meeting with African leaders at the White House- seemingly unaware that English is Liberia's official language.
'Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?" Donald Trump asked Joseph Boakai, adding, 'Where were you educated? Where? In Liberia? Well, that's very interesting. It's beautiful English. I have people at this table who can't speak nearly as well."
Trump to the President of Liberia: 'Such good English. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?"English is the official language of Liberia… pic.twitter.com/Q4nbmINHTr
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) July 9, 2025
Joseph Boakai, who was speaking at the event, made no visible reaction to Donald Trump's comments but the clip quickly went viral, triggering a wave of criticism on social media.
'Trump just praised the leader of Liberia for his English. 'Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?' FACT: English is the official language of Liberia. NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT," wrote influencer Brian Krassenstein on X (formerly Twitter).
'Trump to Liberian President: Such beautiful English, where did you learn to speak English? English is the official language of Liberia. This is embarrassing," another user posted.
'Trump patronizingly asks the President of Liberia how he learned to speak English so beautifully. Trump, of course, has no idea that English is the official language of Liberia," added another.
English has been Liberia's national language since the country's founding in the 19th century by freed American slaves. Its capital, Monrovia, is named after US President James Monroe, and the country's constitution was modeled after the US system.
This isn't the first time Donald Trump's comments on African nations have sparked controversy. In 2018, during his first term, he referred to Haiti and several African countries as 'shithole nations" during a closed-door meeting.
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First Published:
July 10, 2025, 03:07 IST
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