Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sarah Beysolow Nyanti has downplayed suggestions that President Joseph Boakai was insulted by a widely ridiculed remark made by U.S. President Donald Trump during a White House meeting earlier this week.
Trump, hosting a mini-summit with five West African leaders whose countries are rich in critical minerals, praised Boakai for his “excellent English” — seemingly unaware that English is Liberia’s official language. “Your English is excellent… where did you learn it?” Trump asked, prompting a polite laugh from Boakai, who replied that he was educated in his home country.
The exchange quickly went viral online, sparking mockery of Trump across social media platforms. However, Nyanti told AFP on Friday that Liberia did not take offense. “We were honored by the White House invitation,” she said. “There was no sense of insult.”
She emphasized Liberia’s commitment to a “relationship with the United States built on mutual respect.”
Public reaction in Liberia has been mixed. While some criticized Trump’s ignorance as disrespectful, others saw President Boakai’s presence at the White House as a diplomatic win. Cultural ambassador and singer Queen Juli Endee even released a tribute song for Boakai, calling him “our Black President, Africa’s beautiful English-speaking king.” The song quickly gained traction online.
Founded in 1822 by freed African-American slaves under the supervision of the American Colonization Society and U.S. Congress funding, Liberia declared independence in 1847. English remains the official and most widely spoken language.
