U.S. President Donald Trump sparked awkwardness at a White House luncheon on Wednesday after praising Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s English-speaking skills — seemingly unaware that English is Liberia’s official language.
The incident occurred during a diplomatic lunch with several African leaders, many of whom were French-speaking.
After President Boakai delivered a brief address, Trump turned to him with admiration, saying, “Thank you, and such good English… Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?”
Boakai, a business graduate who, like most Liberians, speaks English as his first language, calmly responded that he was educated in his home country.
Facing away from the media, the Liberian president’s facial reaction was not clearly visible, but his subdued tone suggested discomfort.
Unfazed, Trump went further, adding, “It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table can’t speak nearly as well.”
Observers quickly pointed out that Liberia — a West African country with deep historical ties to the United States — has used English as its official language since its founding.
The nation was established by freed American slaves in the 19th century under the sponsorship of the American Colonization Society.
Liberia declared its independence in 1847 and modeled its government after the U.S., including adopting English as its primary language of administration, education, and commerce.
Though the country is home to numerous indigenous languages and dialects, English remains the lingua franca, and Boakai himself is multilingual — fluent in Mende and Kissi in addition to English.
The exchange, while perhaps intended as a compliment, was widely perceived as a diplomatic faux pas and drew criticism on social media, with many calling it another example of Trump’s lack of cultural awareness in international settings.
