‘No offence taken’: Liberia responds to Trump’s surprise over President’s English

Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai was “honoured” to meet US President Donald Trump during a recent West Africa-focused summit at the White House, despite a moment that raised eyebrows: Trump’s surprise at Boakai’s fluency in English, Liberia’s official language.

Trump, addressing Boakai at a mini-summit of leaders from five mineral-rich West African nations, commended his "good English" and asked, “Where were you educated?”

Boakai responded with a polite laugh, noting that he had studied in Liberia, where, like most citizens, English is the mother tongue.

Though the remark has sparked discussion and even drawn satire, Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that no harm was taken.

“We were honoured by the White House’s invitation to President Boakai for a meeting with President Trump and fellow African leaders,” she said Friday. “No offence was taken.”

Nyanti emphasized that Liberia remains committed to fostering strong ties with the United States based on “mutual respect.”

Trump’s misstep quickly took on a life of its own in Liberia, inspiring a viral tribute song from Queen Juli Endee, a popular singer and former cultural ambassador.

“We salute JNB, our Black president, Beautiful English King of Africa,” she and her band sing in a spirited music video that has flooded Liberian social media. Performers wave US flags while donning T-shirts printed with photos of both Boakai and Trump.
The moment, while humorous to some, stirred a mix of pride and criticism on the streets of Monrovia.

Shadrach Johnson, an unemployed resident, said Boakai’s presence at the White House was significant regardless of the comment.

“He went there and spoke on behalf of the Liberian people. It’s progress,” Johnson told AFP. Others viewed Trump’s question as tone-deaf.

Patience Allison, a street vendor, was less forgiving.“For him to ask that question, it is almost like you are making fun. He was really making fun of our president,” she said.