Trump’s ‘Good English’ Praise Prompts Eye Rolls in Liberia—and Some Cheers
A seemingly offhand comment by former U.S. President Donald Trump at a recent White House luncheon has sparked a mix of frustration, bemusement, and cautious praise in Liberia—a nation whose historical ties to the United States run deep.
During the July 9 meeting with African leaders, Trump complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai on his “beautiful” English, then asked where he had learned to speak so well. The remark stunned many Liberians who quickly pointed out that English is their official language and has been since the country’s founding in 1822 by freed African Americans.
Reactions across Liberia ranged from weary indignation to diplomatic optimism. “What Trump said wasn’t ignorance. It was disrespect and entitlement disguised as praise,” said William V.S. Tubman III, a writer and grandson of former Liberian President William Tubman. Others, like feminist activist Fatumata Binta Sall, said they were all too familiar with such remarks. “Many times, I’ve had Americans ask me where I learned to speak English, as if Liberia doesn’t exist on the global map,” she told Reuters.
Liberia’s 5.5 million people primarily speak English, albeit with local intonations and a vibrant Liberian English dialect influenced by indigenous languages. Official communications, however, are delivered in standard English—a fact that makes Trump’s comment even more jarring to some.
Still, not everyone took offense. Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, quickly downplayed the controversy. “What President Trump heard distinctly was the American influence on our English in Liberia, and the Liberian president is not offended by that,” she stated.
Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser on African affairs, echoed that sentiment. “Everyone was deeply appreciative of the President’s time and effort,” he said, adding that the room’s atmosphere remained warm throughout the event.
Despite the backlash, some Liberians focused on the diplomatic and economic opportunities the visit presented. As the only anglophone leader among guests from Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, and Mauritania, Boakai stood out. According to radio journalist Augustus Caine, the President’s eloquence demonstrated “a solid foundation in Liberia’s education system.”
Local press also leaned into the positives. The Analyst newspaper ran a front-page headline celebrating the diplomatic moment with a nod to Trump’s famously coined term: “Trump’s Invite of Liberia Scores ‘Bigly.’”
Whether a diplomatic faux pas or simply a poorly phrased compliment, the incident has reignited conversations about how Africa—and Liberia in particular—is perceived on the world stage. For many Liberians, the moment served as both a reminder of persistent global misconceptions and a chance to reassert their nation’s identity.
As Boakai continues to court international support for Liberia’s economic and democratic agenda, his English may be fluent—but it’s the message behind his words that truly matters.
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Trump’s ‘Good English’ Praise Prompts Eye Rolls in Liberia—and Some Cheers