Latest news with #AmericoLiberian
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Viral moment Donald Trump praises Liberian leader on English, his native tongue
A less than 20 second exchange at a lunch between US President Donald Trump and African leaders has gone viral. As the leaders sat around a table in the White House's State Dining Room on Wednesday, Mr Trump praised the president of Liberia on his English-speaking skills and asked where he learnt to speak the language. However, English is the official language of the country. 'Thank you, and such good English,' Mr Trump told Joseph Boakai. (Watch in the video player above). Mr Boakai took the compliment with a polite laugh. 'Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?' Mr Trump asked. 'Were you educated? Where?' 'Yes, sir,' Mr Boakai said. 'In Liberia?' Mr Trump pressed. 'Yes, sir,' the Liberian president said again. Mr Trump continued: 'That's very interesting. It's beautiful English. I have people at this table who can't speak nearly as well.' Liberia was founded by African-Americans. US engagement in Liberia began in the 1820s when the Congress- and slaveholder-funded American Colonization Society began sending freed slaves to its shores. Thousands of 'Americo-Liberian' settlers followed, declaring themselves independent in 1847 and setting up a government to rule over a native African majority. The country has a diverse array of indigenous languages and a number of creolised dialects, while Kpelle-speakers are the largest single linguistic group. Mr Boakai himself can read and write in Mendi and Kissi but converses in Liberia's official tongue and lingua franca — English. The awkward exchange quickly made headlines and was plastered across social media. While some social media users labelled the moment 'embarrassing' and slammed the US President for being ignorant, others shared they didn't know English was the official language of the West African nation either. — with AFP Read related topics: Donald Trump
Khaleej Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Trump asks Liberian president where he learned English, his country's official language
US President Donald Trump complimented the president of Liberia Wednesday on his English-speaking skills — despite English being the official language of the West African nation. Trump was hosting a White House lunch with African leaders Wednesday, and — after brief remarks from President Joseph Boakai — asked the business graduate where he had picked up his linguistic know-how. "Thank you, and such good English... Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?" Trump said. Boakai — who, like most Liberians, speaks English as a first language — indicated he had been educated in his native country. He was facing away from the media, making his countenance hard to gauge — but his laconic, mumbled response hinted at awkwardness. Trump, who was surrounded by French-speaking presidents from other West African nations, kept digging. "It's beautiful English. I have people at this table can't speak nearly as well," he said. Watch the video of the interaction below: US engagement in Liberia began in the 1820s when the Congress- and slaveholder-funded American Colonisation Society began sending freed slaves to its shores. Thousands of "Americo-Liberian" settlers followed, declaring themselves independent in 1847 and setting up a government to rule over a native African majority. The country has a diverse array of indigenous languages and a number of creolised dialects, while Kpelle-speakers are the largest single linguistic group. Boakai himself can read and write in Mendi and Kissi but converses in Liberia's official tongue and lingua franca — English.
Arab News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Trump praises Liberian leader on English — his native tongue
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump complimented the president of Liberia Wednesday on his English-speaking skills — despite English being the official language of the West African nation. Trump was hosting a White House lunch with African leaders Wednesday, and — after brief remarks from President Joseph Boakai — asked the business graduate where he had picked up his linguistic know-how. 'Thank you, and such good English... Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?' Trump said. Boakai — who, like most Liberians, speaks English as a first language — indicated he had been educated in his native country. He was facing away from the media, making his countenance hard to gauge — but his laconic, mumbled response hinted at awkwardness. Trump, who was surrounded by French-speaking presidents from other West African nations, kept digging. 'It's beautiful English. I have people at this table can't speak nearly as well,' he said. US engagement in Liberia began in the 1820s when the Congress- and slaveholder-funded American Colonization Society began sending freed slaves to its shores. Thousands of 'Americo-Liberian' settlers followed, declaring themselves independent in 1847 and setting up a government to rule over a native African majority. The country has a diverse array of indigenous languages and a number of creolized dialects, while Kpelle-speakers are the largest single linguistic group. Boakai himself can read and write in Mendi and Kissi but converses in Liberia's official tongue and lingua franca — English.
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Trump praises Liberian leader on English
US President Donald Trump complimented the president of Liberia Wednesday on his English-speaking skills -- despite English being the official language of the West African nation. Trump was hosting a White House lunch with African leaders Wednesday, and -- after brief remarks from President Joseph Boakai -- asked the business graduate where he had picked up his linguistic know-how. "Thank you, and such good English... Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?" Trump said. Boakai -- who, like most Liberians, speaks English as a first language -- indicated he had been educated in his native country. He was facing away from the media, making his countenance hard to gauge -- but his laconic, mumbled response hinted at awkwardness. Trump, who was surrounded by French-speaking presidents from other West African nations, kept digging. "It's beautiful English. I have people at this table can't speak nearly as well," he said. US engagement in Liberia began in the 1820s when the Congress- and slaveholder-funded American Colonization Society began sending freed slaves to its shores. Thousands of "Americo-Liberian" settlers followed, declaring themselves independent in 1847 and setting up a government to rule over a native African majority. The country has a diverse array of indigenous languages and a number of creolized dialects, while Kpelle-speakers are the largest single linguistic group. Boakai himself can read and write in Mendi and Kissi but converses in Liberia's official tongue and lingua franca -- English.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Trump praises Liberian leader on English
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with African leaders during a lunch in the State Dining Room of the White House, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) U.S. President Donald Trump complimented the president of Liberia Wednesday on his English-speaking skills - despite English being the official language of the West African nation. Trump was hosting a White House lunch with African leaders Wednesday, and -- after brief remarks from President Joseph Boakai - asked the business graduate where he had picked up his linguistic know-how. 'Thank you, and such good English... Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?' Trump said. Boakai - who, like most Liberians, speaks English as a first language - indicated he had been educated in his native country. He was facing away from the media, making his countenance hard to gauge - but his laconic, mumbled response hinted at awkwardness. Trump, who was surrounded by French-speaking presidents from other West African nations, kept digging. 'It's beautiful English. I have people at this table can't speak nearly as well,' he said. US engagement in Liberia began in the 1820s when the Congress- and slaveholder-funded American Colonization Society began sending freed slaves to its shores. Thousands of 'Americo-Liberian' settlers followed, declaring themselves independent in 1847 and setting up a government to rule over a native African majority. The country has a diverse array of indigenous languages and a number of creolized dialects, while Kpelle-speakers are the largest single linguistic group. Boakai himself can read and write in Mendi and Kissi but converses in Liberia's official tongue and lingua franca -- English.
