U.S. President Donald Trump’s praise for the “beautiful” English of Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai sparked confusion on Thursday in the English-speaking African nation, with many interpreting the comments as patronizing.

Monrovia

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the 'beautiful' English of Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai during a meeting at the White House, prompting confusion and criticism among many Liberians. Some interpreted Trump’s comments as patronizing, given that English has been Liberia’s official language since its founding in the 1800s.

Trump asked Boakai where he had learned to speak English so well, despite Liberia’s long history as an English-speaking nation established by freed slaves from the United States. While several Liberians viewed the remarks as an affront, Boakai’s administration did not take offense, and the exchange occurred during a meeting with Trump and five West African leaders.

Liberians react to Trump’s comments on Boakai’s English

U.S. President Donald Trump's praise for the beautiful English of Liberia's President Joseph Buakai sparked confusion on Thursday in the English-speaking African nation, with many interpreting the comments as patronizing. Such good English Trump stated to Buakai during an event at the White House visibly surprised. I don't think he knows Liberia's history. Because if he knew Liberia's history, he would not ask that question. Yes, because if he knew Liberia's an English-speaking country, he would not ask whether it was a question or... I don't know. But I don't think it was necessary. Although English has been the official language of Liberia since the country was founded in the 1800s, Trump asked Buakai where he had learned to speak the language so beautifully and continued as Buakai quietly answered. Liberia was founded by free slaves from the United States in the 19th century. Precisely in the 1820s, you had the American Colonization Society that helped to resettle former slaves from the Americas to West Africa. And they were the ones that led to the establishment of the republic or the nation that we call Liberia today. While a number of Liberians considered the remarks as an affront, Buakai's administration took no offense in the exchange that occurred on Wednesday during a meeting at the White House with Trump and five West African leaders.

A preliminary report depicted confusion in the cockpit shortly before an Air India jetliner crashed, killing 260 people last month, after the plane's engine fuel cutoff switches almost simultaneously flipped, starving the engines of fuel.

Ahmedabad

Air India crash report shows confusion over engine switch movement

An Israeli airstrike hit Palestinians near a medical center in Gaza on Thursday, killing 10 children and six adults, local health authorities said, as ceasefire talks dragged on with no immediate deal expected. This report contains graphic and disturbing images.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strike kills children near medical clinic in Gaza

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia launches more strikes, damages Ukraine maternity hospital

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is returning to Israel without a ceasefire deal with Hamas despite optimism from the Trump administration. CBS News' Elizabeth Palmer reports.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Netanyahu returns to Israel without Gaza ceasefire deal

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Camarillo

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Washington

Global Tariffs

Trump targets Brazil with 50% tariff

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Center Point

Urgent search operations for flood victims stretch miles in Texas

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Texas

Volunteers dig through Texas flood wreckage ahead of Trump visit

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Kuala Lumpur

Top U.S., Russia diplomats discuss Ukraine on ASEAN sidelines

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Russia’s upgraded drone tactics bring intensified attacks across Ukraine

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Ventura County

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Los Angeles

31 trapped workers rescued after tunnel collapse

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Rubio: New Russia sanctions a ‘real option’

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San Francisco

Yaccarino steps down as CEO of Elon Musk's X

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Moscow

Trump calls out Putin for stalled peace talks

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Five African leaders have lunch with Trump

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Kerr County

Recovery operations ongoing in Texas as more than 160 still missing

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Sana'a

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Ontario

Trump threatens 50% tariff on copper imports

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Hundreds of firefighters battled a fast-moving wildfire that reached the outskirts of the southern French city of Marseille on Tuesday, forcing people to stay indoors and the nearby airport to close.

Marseille

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Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota was probably speeding when the Lamborghini car he was driving crashed in northwestern Spain, killing him and his brother, police said in a preliminary report.