Trump praises English of Liberian leader - where English is official language

Donald Trump has been mercilessly mocked after a bizarre exchange where he praised the President of Liberiafor learning English - the African country's national language.

The US president, who regularly boasts over having the “best words”, raised eyebrows after an odd and awkward exchange with Liberia’s president during a White House meeting with African leaders. As the room filled with formal statements, many delivered in native African languages through interpreters, President Joseph Boakai of Liberia began speaking in English. He thanked Trump for the opportunity to meet and voiced support for his “Make America Great Again” policy, saying his country is a "longtime friend" of the US.

“Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States and we believe in your policy of making America great again,” Boakai said. “We just want to thank you so much for this opportunity.”

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The comment appeared to take Trump by surprise. “Such good English,” the US leader said admiringly. “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?” Boakai, momentarily stunned, nervouly laughed. “In Liberia?” he replied. “Yes sir,” he confirmed.

Trump, seemingly unaware that English has been Liberia’s official language since its founding in the early 19th Century by freed Black Americans, responded, “That’s very interesting. I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”

It’s not the first time the president’s basic comprehension of world affairs has come into question. Critics were quick to pounce, noting that Liberia’s historical and linguistic ties to the United States are well documented.

The West African country was founded in 1822 by the American Colonisation Society as a settlement for freed slaves from the US, and English remains its official language. “You don’t need a PhD in international relations to know Liberia speaks English,” one X user wrote. “You just need to have passed Year 9.”

The gaffe follows a string of recent Trump moments that have sparked concerns over his mental acuity. Just weeks ago, Trump appeared to confuse his rival Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi while talking about the Capitol riot.

He’s repeatedly misidentified world leaders and misstated policy details, and in one rally, he declared he had defeated Barack Obama in the 2020 election.

“Donald Trump became the oldest president to ever be sworn in to the White House - and it is starting to show,” said one political analyst. “You can’t have these constant blunders and still demand to be taken seriously as a global statesman.”

At the meeting, Trump tried to pivot to trade policy, declaring, “We’re shifting from aid to trade. There’s great economic potential in Africa, like few other places.”

The assembled African leaders appeared unfazed, choosing instead to flatter Trump’s efforts on the world stage.