Liberians voiced anger after U.S. President Donald Trump said that he was surprised their president spoke “good English,” stirring a wave of backlash across the country.
During a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Trump commented on President Joseph Boakai’s English skills, saying, “Such good English,” with visible surprise.
“Such beautiful English. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated? Where? In Liberia?” he asked.
This reaction came despite Liberia being one of the United States’ closest international partners. Liberians often refer to the United States as their “big brother” due to historical and political connections.
English has been Liberia’s official language since the 1800s. The country, located in West Africa, is home to around 5.5 million people. In everyday life, people speak Liberian English, which includes influences from pidgin English and local languages.
Although Liberia has had strong ties with the US for over a century, many Liberians were not surprised that Trump seemed unaware of their national language.
Fatumata Binta Sall, a feminist activist from Liberia who frequently travels to the US, told Reuters that she has faced similar reactions from Americans. “Many times, I’ve had Americans ask me whether I studied abroad or where I learned to speak ‘so well’,” she said.
According to Sall, such questions show that Liberia is “not visible in the minds of many Americans.” She said that she often attends international conferences to “remind the world that Liberia exists.”
William V.S. Tubman III, a Liberian author and the grandson of former President William Tubman, also expressed his frustration with Trump’s remarks. He said, “Praising an African head of state for speaking English ‘so beautifully’ isn’t a compliment, it’s a reflection of how deeply colonial thinking continues to shape expectations.”
“What Trump said wasn’t ignorance. It was disrespect and entitlement disguised as praise.”
Foday Massaquio, who chairs the opposition Congress for Democratic Change-Council of Patriots, also criticized Trump’s tone. “As a matter of fact, it also proves that the West is not taking us seriously as Africans,” he said, adding that, “President Trump was condescending; he was very disrespectful to the African leader.”
Liberia has had strong historical connections with the United States. It was a colony of the American Colonization Society from 1821 until it declared independence in 1847.
However, the United States did not officially recognize Liberia until September 23, 1862. Liberia’s political system and flag are modeled after those of the United States.
Recently, the Trump administration made a major decision that affected Liberia. It dissolved the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
This raised concern in Liberia, which relied heavily on US support. According to the Center for Global Development, US aid made up 2.6% of Liberia’s gross national income, which is considered the highest percentage in the world.
