By Emmanuel Nduka
Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai took no offence at US President Donald Trump’s recent comment about his fluency in English, according to the country’s Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
Speaking on Friday, Nyanti said President Boakai felt “honoured” to be invited to the White House and participate in a mini-summit with four other West African leaders.
She emphasized that the meeting was seen as a positive engagement and not marred by any perceived slight.
“We were honoured by the White House’s invitation to President Boakai for a meeting with President Trump and fellow African leaders. No offence was taken,” she told AFP, adding that Liberia looks forward to strengthening its relationship with the United States based on “mutual respect”.
During the summit, held earlier in the week, President Trump commended Boakai’s command of English, asking, “Such good English… Where were you educated?” The question appeared to ignore the fact that English is Liberia’s official language and widely spoken across the country.
President Boakai, like most Liberians, speaks English as his first language. In response to Trump’s remark, he laughed briefly and explained that he was educated in Liberia.
Liberia, which became a republic in 1847 after being founded in 1822 by freed American slaves under the American Colonization Society, is the oldest independent nation in sub-Saharan Africa. English has remained the country’s official language since its founding.
Trump’s comment quickly circulated online, sparking a mix of reactions in Liberia. Some viewed it as an innocent misstep, while others perceived it as disrespectful.
In a spirited response to the moment, renowned Liberian singer and former cultural ambassador Queen Juli Endee released a tribute song praising President Boakai. In a video shared widely on social media, she and her band sang, “We salute JNB, our black president, Beautiful English King of Africa,” while waving U.S. flags and wearing shirts featuring images of Boakai and Trump.
Reactions among Liberians varied. Shadrach Johnson, an unemployed resident, welcomed the president’s participation in the summit, calling it a sign of diplomatic progress. “He went there and spoke on behalf of the Liberian people. It’s progress,” he said.
Others, like street vendor Patience Allison, felt insulted. “For him to ask that question, it is almost like you are making fun. He was really making fun of our president,” she said.
Despite the mixed opinions, Liberia’s government says it remains focused on fostering strong ties with Washington, emphasizing the shared history and values that bind both nations.
