During a meeting with African leaders at the White House, President Trump expressed admiration for Liberian President Joseph Boachey’s command of English.
“That’s good English,” Trump remarked after Boachey spoke.
He continued, curious about Boachey’s education: “Where did you go to school? What part of Liberia are you from? It’s fascinating. Your English is beautiful,” Trump said at a joint press conference.
He also noted, “There are people around this table who struggle to communicate with us.”
English serves as the official language in Liberia, a nation established in the early 1800s by a mix of philanthropists and abolitionists aiming to resettle free black Americans. Positioned on the West African coast, Liberia is home to numerous indigenous languages as well as variations of English, often referred to as Liberian English.
Boachey completed his education at Monrovia University, named after President James Monroe, and later worked under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s first female president.
A spokesperson from the White House addressed backlash regarding Trump’s comments about Boachey. In a statement, they suggested that “only fake news can grimly distort President Trump’s sincere compliment at a conference marking a significant moment for U.S.-Africa relations,” according to reports.
In the wake of a signed presidential order aimed at boosting mineral production in the U.S., Trump welcomed leaders from Gabon, Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea Bissau, and other resource-rich African nations to the meeting.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration secured agreements with China and Ukraine for access to their rare earth deposits.
Projected economic growth for Liberia’s real GDP is around 5% in 2025, continuing the trend of growth in the mining sector, especially in gold, as well as agriculture and services, according to the World Bank.
The population of Liberia stands at approximately 5.7 million, increasingly attracting foreign interest due to its plethora of rare earth minerals, including neodymium.
Boachey remarked to Trump, “Liberia is a longstanding American ally, and we believe in the policies that help make America great again,” while also complimenting Trump’s oratory style.
Other African leaders echoed sentiments of potential economic collaboration, expressing support for policies aligned with “America First.”
