A diplomatic encounter intended to bolster U.S.–Liberia relations has instead ignited a firestorm of criticism and reflection after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed surprise at Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s fluent English during a high-profile meeting at the White House on Wednesday.
The remark, meant as a compliment, was met with widespread backlash across Liberia and among the African diaspora, with many interpreting it as a telling display of cultural ignorance and lingering colonial attitudes.
“Where did you learn to speak such beautiful English?” Trump reportedly asked, following Boakai’s brief but eloquent address. For Liberians, who consider English their official language and have deep historical ties with the U.S., the question was not just tone-deaf—it was insulting.
Liberia, founded in 1822 by freed Black Americans, has long identified English as its linguistic foundation. Government documents, official proceedings, and national education systems all operate in English, though local dialects and Liberian English add color and uniqueness to everyday communication.
Feminist activist Fatumata Binta Sall described Trump’s comment as part of a broader pattern. “It’s the same ignorance I’ve faced countless times in the U.S. People assume our ability to speak English comes from foreign education, not realizing English is homegrown in Liberia,” she told Reuters.
William V.S. Tubman III, the grandson of a former Liberian president, echoed these sentiments, labeling Trump’s remark as “not ignorance, but disrespect wrapped in condescension.”
Despite statements from both Trump’s team and Liberia’s foreign ministry downplaying the controversy, many Liberians remain unconvinced.
While some Monrovia residents appreciated Boakai’s poise and used the occasion to highlight Liberia’s mineral wealth and democratic strides, the lingering sting of the remark underscores how even well-intended words can reveal deep-seated biases.
As Liberia seeks global partnerships, this incident serves as a stark reminder: true diplomacy begins with cultural respect, not patronizing praise.
