Posted by Samuel on Thu 10th Jul, 2025 - tori.ng
The US President, Donald Trump was impressed and inquired where Boakai got his language skills.
On Wednesday, July 7, U.S. President Donald Trump received accolades from a group of African leaders, many of whom addressed him in their native languages.
However, the moment took a notable turn when the President of Liberia stepped up to the microphone and spoke in English — the official language of his country — capturing Trump’s full attention.
"Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States, and we believe in your policy of making America great again. We just want to thank you so much for this opportunity." President Joseph Boakai said at a White House meeting before advocating for U.S. investment in his country.
Trump was impressed and inquired where Boakai got his language skills.
"Such good English," Trump said. "Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?"
Boakai seemed to chuckle.
"In Liberia?" Trump asked.
"Yes sir," Boakai said.
"That's very interesting," Trump said. “I have people at this table who can't speak nearly as well.”
Liberia was founded in 1822 as a colony for free Black Americans, the brainchild of white Americans trying to address what they saw as a problem - the future for Black people in the United States, once slavery ended. English is Liberia's official language, though multiple Indigenous languages are spoken there as well.
Watch the video below…