Donald Trump praised Liberia’s president for speaking English, seemingly unaware that English is the African country’s official language.
Trump met with five African leaders at the White House on Wednesday for a discussion focused on “commercial opportunities,” according to a White House official.
The leaders spoke to Trump using translators except for Liberia’s President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The moment fascinated Trump who complimented Boakai on his English-speaking skills and asked him where he learned to speak the language so well.
“Such good English,” Trump said. “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?”
Boakai laughed and appeared somewhat confused as Trump asked, “Where were you educated? In Liberia?”
“Yes, sir,” he replied.
“That’s very interesting,” Trump said. “I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”
Liberia is a country in West Africa with ties to the United States dating back to over a century.
English has been Liberia’s official language since freed African-American slaves, who wanted to return to their historical homeland, were settled there in 1822 with the help of the American Colonization Society.
The nation declared its independence in 1847. Their flag even resembles that of the United States.
