Trump's Liberia Remark Sparks Debate on U.S.-Africa Ties

During a White House meeting with five African leaders, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his 'beautiful' English and asked where he had learned the language, despite English being Liberia's official language. Boakai replied that he was educated in Liberia, but Trump's comments drew backlash on social media and among Liberians, who saw the exchange as patronizing and culturally insensitive. Some critics argued the remarks reflected colonial attitudes and broader ignorance about African nations, while others, including some Liberian officials, downplayed the incident as an awkward but well-intentioned compliment. The White House defended Trump's remarks, describing them as heartfelt. The episode reignited discussion about U.S.-Africa relations and the need for greater awareness of African history and identity in Western discourse.