Trump asks Liberian president where he learned English, his country's official language
UNITED STATES, JUL 9 – Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai's English during a summit despite English being Liberia's official language and recent U.S. aid cuts amounting to $290 million, critics noted.
- On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed five African leaders and complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai on his proficiency in English.
- Trump remarked to Boakai on his impressive command of English, asking how he had come to speak it so well, despite English having been Liberia’s official language since 1822.
- Liberia was established in the early 19th century as a settlement for freed African Americans, and its official language is English, alongside various native languages spoken within the country.
- Several Liberians, including youth advocate Archie Tamel Harris and a Liberian diplomat, said Trump's question felt condescending and inappropriate given Liberia's English-speaking status.
- Liberia's Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti stated the Liberian president was not offended, and the White House described Trump's comment as a heartfelt compliment.
64 Articles
64 Articles
Trump sparks backlash after praising Liberian president's 'good English'
US President Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his strong grasp of the English language yesterday.But the African leader was educated in Liberia, where English is the official language.As he hosted five African leaders at the White House, Trump asked Boakai: "Such good English, it's beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?"READ MORE: Trump threatens Brazil with 50 per cent tariff over Bolsonaro trialBoakai…
U.S. President Donald Trump starred in a striking moment this Wednesday in congratulating Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his command of English, even though it is the official language of that African country. The episode took place during a White House summit between Trump and five African leaders, where Boakai was the only one to address the Republican in English. “Thank you, and how good English, how beautiful. Where did you learn to sp…
Liberian President Joseph Boakai was praised by Donald Trump for his English. In Liberia, English is the official language.
‘Where did you learn English?’ Trump’s remark to Liberian president sparks reaction
US President Donald Trump complimented the president of Liberia on Wednesday on his English-speaking skills — despite English being the official language of the West African nation.Trump was...
Trump Praises Liberian President For His English-Speaking Skills
President Donald Trump was basking in the praise of a group of African leaders on Wednesday, many of them speaking a different language, when the Liberian president took to his microphone and spoke in English - his country's official language.
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