In a moment that somehow managed to be both cringeworthy and completely on brand, Donald Trump recently praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his “good English” during a meeting. Yes, really. The former U.S. president, who famously struggles with his own grasp of the English language, seemed genuinely shocked that the leader of Liberia, a country founded by freed American slaves spoke fluently. You couldn’t make it up.
Had Trump done even a basic Google search before the meeting (or, say, opened a book), he’d have realised that English is, in fact, Liberia’s official language. It’s not just widely spoken it’s the language of government, education, and public life. But no, instead we got a backhanded compliment disguised as ignorance. Classic.
In case Trump needs CliffsNotes, here are six things he should have known before setting foot near Liberia’s delegation:
1. Its Capital Is Named After a U.S. President
Monrovia, Liberia’s capital, was named after James Monroe, America’s fifth president. The city is peppered with street names, buildings, and institutions inspired by U.S. history. Their main hospital? The John F. Kennedy Medical Center. It’s not a coincidence.
2. The Liberian Flag Looks Almost Exactly Like the U.S. One
It’s basically the American flag’s minimalist cousin: red and white stripes, a blue square, and one white star. Designed by seven black women born in the U.S. it symbolises Liberia as Africa’s first independent republic. But yes, Donald, tell us again how surprised you were that they speak English.
3. Liberia’s Presidents Has a Son Playing for USA Team
Timothy Weah, son of former Liberian President and football legend George Weah, plays for the U.S. national team. Born in New York, trained in Paris, now at Juventus clearly, good English isn’t the only thing Liberia can produce.
4. Liberia Gave the World a Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president and Harvard educated economist, led Liberia out of civil war and into a decade of peace. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for advancing women’s rights. But sure, let’s applaud the president for using grammar correctly.
5. They’ve Got the World’s Largest Rubber Plantation (Thanks, America)
Firestone Liberia yep, the tyre company owns a 185-square mile plantation there. Founded in 1926, it was America’s way of locking down rubber when the Brits had a monopoly. Today, the U.S. is still Liberia’s biggest rubber customer. The plantation has faced human rights accusations (including child labour), which Firestone denies, but it remains Liberia’s biggest private employer.
So, Were Liberians Offended?
Surprisingly, Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti played it cool, chalking Trump’s gaffe up to “a lack of understanding” about African languages. She diplomatically said it wasn’t awkward and that Trump probably just recognised the American-sounding intonation. Which, fair enough.
But some Liberians weren’t buying the accidental compliment.
Accountant Joe Manley said: “Trump should have been properly briefed… Our president represents a country with a rich educational tradition.” Another professional, Henrietta Peters Magbollah, pointed out that this kind of reaction speaks to a wider ignorance about Africa in general—one shaped by tired stereotypes of war, poverty, and illiteracy.
The Bottom Line
Trump’s “compliment” wasn’t just clueless, it was a masterclass in how not to engage in diplomacy. Praising someone for speaking their own country’s national language isn’t polite, it’s patronising. And when that language is also your own? Well, that’s just embarrassing.
But hey, coming from the man who thought injecting disinfectant might cure COVID, maybe we shouldn’t be surprised.
