Trump To Liberian President – ‘Such Good English, Where Did You Learn to Speak so Beautifully’?
During a high-level meeting in Washington on July 9, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump paused discussions to praise Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s eloquence. The summit, focused on U.S.-Africa trade and security ties, saw Trump commend Boakai’s “beautiful” English, asking where he learned to speak so well.
Boakai, maintaining composure, responded, “In Liberia,” prompting light chuckles from attendees. Trump, visibly impressed, noted that some at the table could not speak as well. The viral moment occurred during talks with leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Senegal, hosted to boost commercial and security partnerships.
Liberia’s ties with the U.S. date back to 1822, when the American Colonization Society founded the nation for repatriated African Americans. Named after President James Monroe, Monrovia became its capital. Formal diplomatic relations began in the 1860s, strengthening during the Cold War, shaping Liberia’s use of English as its official language.
The exchange highlighted Boakai’s poise amid discussions on trade opportunities and countering China’s influence in Africa’s mineral sector. Trump’s “America First” approach framed the summit, which included a White House lunch. The talks also addressed visa policy tensions, with Liberia among 25 African nations facing potential U.S. travel bans.
@msnbc During a meeting with the leaders of several African nations at the White House, President Donald Trump complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s command of English. English is Liberia's national language. "That is what you get when our nation's diplomat-in-chief has no idea what he's saying," Jen Psaki says. @Briefing with Jen Psaki #trump #news #politics #liberia ♬ original sound – MSNBC
Boakai’s response underscored Liberia’s educational heritage, despite Trump’s surprise. The moment, while light-hearted, emphasized the deep historical U.S.-Liberia connection, as the summit aimed to foster economic growth and security collaboration between the two nations.