Trump asks Liberian president where he learned English, his country's official language
UNITED STATES, JUL 10 – Trump appeared unaware that English is Liberia’s official language during a summit with West African leaders, amid US aid cuts that could cause 14 million more deaths in developing countries by 2030.
- Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s English skills at a White House meeting, seeming unaware that English is Liberia’s official language.
- Earlier this month, US authorities dissolved USAID, which supported nearly 2.6% of Liberia’s GNI, leading Liberians to expect they would be exempt from aid cuts.
- Liberians expressed anger and perceived Trump's praise as condescending, highlighting shockwaves amid US aid cuts that account for 2.6% of GNI, echoing Western condescension.
- Social media erupted with outrage after Trump’s comment, with critics calling it overtly racist and echoing past insults towards Africa.
- Moving forward, the U.S. pivot from aid to trade may influence diplomatic ties, amid ongoing debates over the impact of rhetoric on international relations.
166 Articles
166 Articles
Trump praises Liberian President Boakai's 'beautiful English'
There was confusion and anger in Liberia on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump praised the English skills of President Joseph Boakai. English has been the west African nation's official language since the 1800s. But Trump did not stop there.
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Liberians confused and angry after Trump’s ‘condescending’ praise for Boakai’s ‘beautiful English’
By MARK MENGONFIA, MONIKA PRONCZUK and WILSON MCMAKIN MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — There was confusion and anger in Liberia on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump praised the English skills of President Joseph Boakai. “Such good English,” Trump said to Boakai, with visible surprise. “Such beautiful English.” English has been the west African nation’s official language since the 1800s. But Trump did not stop there. “Where did you learn to spea…

Liberians confused and angry after Trump’s ‘condescending’ praise for their leader’s English
By MARK MENGONFIA, MONIKA PRONCZUK and WILSON MCMAKIN MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — There was confusion and anger in Liberia on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump praised the English skills of President Joseph Boakai. “Such good English,” Trump said to Boakai at the White House, with visible surprise. “Such beautiful English.” English has been the west African nation’s official language since the 1800s. But Trump did not stop there. “Where di…
Donald Trump invites several African heads of state to the White House. His praise for one of the prominent guests is listening.
WASHINGTON.- The President of the United States, Donald Trump, was the protagonist of a shameful moment on Wednesday during a meeting with African leaders, after congratulating one of them for their “beautiful” English, even though it is the official language of that country founded under the auspices of the United States in 1822.The U.S. president gloated in the praise of a group of leaders, many of them speaking a different language, when the …
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