Why Is Donald Trump's Praise for Liberia's President Controversial?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta U.S. President Donald Trump recently praised the English language skills of Liberia’s former President Joseph Boakai during a White House event, sparking discussion about the implications of his remarks.

At a White House luncheon on July 9, 2025, President Trump complimented President Boakai for his “such good English,” asking where he had learned it, despite English being Liberia’s official language.

 As he hosted five African leaders at the White House, Trump asked Boakai: “Such good English, it’s beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?” 

 Boakai informed Trump of his place of education, prompting Trump to express his curiosity. “That’s very interesting,” he said, “I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.” 

However, Trump's responses led a controversy in the internet.

Liberia’s official language is English, a legacy of its founding by freed American slaves, so Boakai’s fluency is expected.

Critics argue that Trump’s praise, while seemingly complimentary, can be perceived as patronizing or reflecting low expectations about African leaders’ command of English.

Some observers see it as reinforcing stereotypes about Africa, implying surprise that a leader from the continent speaks English well.

Also:

• Cultural insensitivity: Critics pointed out that Trump’s remark implied surprise at Boakai’s fluency, revealing a lack of awareness of Liberia's linguistic and historical ties to the U.S
• Diplomatic faux pas: It echoed past instances where Trump similarly commented on non-American leaders' English and accents—seen as stereotyping and dismissive.
• Past precedents: Earlier this year, Trump told an Indian reporter, “I can’t understand a word he’s saying,” and told an Afghan reporter, “You have a beautiful voice…but I can’t understand a word you’re saying.” These remarks drew heavy criticism.

Several Liberians voiced their offense over Trump’s comment to Boakai, given the US president’s past remarks on African countries and the colonial legacy left by the US organization in Liberia. 

 “I felt insulted because our country is an English-speaking country,” Archie Tamel Harris, a Liberian youth advocate, told CNN. 

 “For him to ask that question, I don’t see it as a compliment. I feel that the US president and people in the west still see Africans as people in villages who are not educated.” 

Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Society whose goal was to resettle freed slaves in Africa.

The country declared independence from the American Colonization Society in 1847, and a variety of languages are spoken in the country today, with English being the official language.