U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai on his command of the English language, despite English being Liberia’s official language and widely spoken by its citizens.
The remark came during a White House luncheon with African leaders. After brief comments by Boakai, Trump turned to him and asked, “Thank you, and such good English… Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?”
Boakai, a business graduate who was educated in Liberia and speaks English as his first language, responded briefly. Facing away from the media, his low-toned reply made it difficult to discern his reaction, though it appeared restrained.
Trump, seated among several French-speaking West African presidents, continued, saying, “It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table can’t speak nearly as well.”
The exchange drew attention for its awkwardness and the apparent unfamiliarity with Liberia’s linguistic background.