“Thank you, and such good English… Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?” Trump asked.
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday surprised many by complimenting Liberian President Joseph Boakai on his English fluency—despite English being Liberia’s official language.
Hosting a White House lunch for African leaders, Trump interrupted after Boakai’s brief remarks to ask about his education.
“Thank you, and such good English… Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?” Trump asked.
Boakai, a business graduate, replied he had been educated in his native Liberia.
Facing away from the media, Boakai’s low-key response hinted at discomfort, but Trump continued: “It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table can’t speak nearly as well.”
Liberia, founded by freed American slaves in the 19th century, adopted English as its official language in 1847.
President Boakai, who also reads and writes in Mendi and Kissi, uses English as his lingua franca, like most Liberians.