Donald Trump’s praise of his Liberian counterpart, Joseph Boakai, prompted criticism and offense in the country. Liberia declared independence in 1847, with English being the official language.

Monrovia

During a meeting, former U.S. President Donald Trump complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai on his English-speaking skills, asking where he learned to speak so well. The White House described the comment as a heartfelt compliment, but it was met with criticism and offense in Liberia and across Africa, where many saw it as a reflection of outdated stereotypes about the continent.

Liberia, which declared independence in 1847 and has English as its official language, has deep historical ties to the United States. Many Liberians felt that Trump's surprise at Boakai's English proficiency ignored this context and perpetuated assumptions about African nations. While President Boakai was reportedly not offended, the incident has reignited discussions about microaggressions and stereotypes faced by Africans in international settings.

Liberians react to Trump’s praise for their president’s English skills

And we just want to thank you so much for this opportunity. Well, thank you. You have such good English, such beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? The surprise heard around the world. President Donald Trump congratulating an English speaker for speaking English. The White House called it a heartfelt compliment to the Liberian president, but many in Africa don't see it that way. Donald Trump basically said, oh, wow, you speak so well for an African booty scratcher. Good job. It was front page news in Liberia and on American late night TV. Trump was totally blown away by this guy speaking his national language. Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Society, whose goal was to resettle freed slaves from the United States in Africa. It became independent in 1847, and its capital, Monrovia, is named after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. The Liberian flag and government closely match their American roots, but President Joseph Buakai did not tell Trump any of this. Where were you educated? Where? Many Liberians were insulted by President Trump's question. Every exam I took, every book I read, every speech I've written has been in English. So to be surprised that a Liberian president speaks proper English feels less like admiration and more like a reflection of outdated stereotypes about Africa. Some Africans think the Liberian leader should have walked out, but he was not offended. Liberia is English-speaking and has American English as its formative language at the national level. And so what President Trump heard distinctly was the American influence on our English in Liberia. President Buakai also speaks Kisii. That's one of the 20 or so languages in Liberia. But many Africans in Western settings have had that question, why did you learn to speak so well? Many in the black community consider it a racist microaggression when people say you're so articulate because it assumes that only certain people can express themselves well. That is the subtext behind the outrage many here feel about President Trump's comments to the Liberian president.

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