Trump Surprised by Liberian President’s English—Here’s What Happened
During a gathering with several African leaders at the White House, former U.S. President Donald Trump had a curious moment with Liberia’s President, Joseph Boakai.
“You speak such good English. Where did you go to school?” Trump asked.
Boakai smiled politely but didn’t point out the obvious: English is actually Liberia’s official language.
The exchange left some eyebrows raised, especially given Liberia’s deep historical ties to the U.S. Founded in the early 1800s by freed African American slaves, Liberia has long had English as its national language and a culture that closely mirrors parts of the United States.
While the moment may have seemed lighthearted, it served as a reminder of how little is sometimes known—or acknowledged—about the history and identity of African nations.
