Political situation in Liberia

Trump to English-speaking president: "Good English"

Liberian President Joseph Boakai was praised for his English by US President Donald Trump during a meeting with several African leaders at the White House on Wednesday, several media outlets report.

- What good English, so nice, Trump said to Boakai.

Trump also asked where Boakai was educated and where he learned to speak so well. Something he is now being criticized for.

"Trump never misses an opportunity to be racist and wrong, and every day he finds a new way to be embarrassing," writes Democratic House member Jasmine Crockett, among others, on X.

English is the official language of Liberia and the country was founded in 1822 as a haven for freed American slaves.

Trump's "compliment" offends in Liberia

Many in Liberia took offense when US President Donald Trump praised President Joseph Boakai's English earlier this week, writes AP.

The comment was made during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, and Boakai's administration officials have stressed that it was a compliment. But others see it as an insult.

Given the close ties between the countries, Trump should have known that English is the official language in Liberia, according to people the news agency spoke to in the capital, Monrovia. The political opposition also found the comment condescending and disrespectful.

"It proves that the West does not take us seriously as Africans," said Foday Massaquio, chairman of Liberia's opposition CDC party.