Liberian president not offended by Trump’s ‘good English’ remark, ‘honoured’ by meeting
Trump praised President Joseph Boakai on Wednesday for his English-speaking skills, apparently unaware that English is the official language of Liberia
Liberia’s president was “honoured” to meet US counterpart Donald Trump this week and wasn’t offended by Trump’s comment about his fluency in English – his mother tongue – Liberia’s foreign minister said on Friday.
The US president’s gaffe has even inspired a catchy tribute song in the West African country, Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti said on Friday evening.
Trump praised President Joseph Boakai on Wednesday for his English-speaking skills, apparently unaware that English is the official language of Liberia.
Responding to remarks Boakai made at a White House mini-summit alongside the presidents of five mineral-rich, French-speaking countries in West Africa, the US leader said: “Such good English … Where were you educated?”
Boakai – who, like most Liberians, speaks English as a first language – laughed uncomfortably and replied he had been educated in his home country.