Trump’s patronizing remarks to liberian president spark outrage across Africa

Department of Research, Studies and International News 11-07-2025

In what many consider a deeply disrespectful and patronizing exchange, U.S. President Donald Trump drew heavy criticism from African observers and Liberians alike after publicly expressing surprise at Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s command of the English language. The incident took place during a White House meeting with several West African leaders, ostensibly aimed at promoting a shift from U.S. aid dependency to trade-focused cooperation.

During the meeting, Trump commented with apparent astonishment, “Such good English. Such beautiful English,” directed at President Boakai, Liberia’s democratically elected head of state. He continued with what critics are calling a belittling line of questioning: “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated? Where? In Liberia?”

Such remarks struck a nerve, particularly because English has been the official language of Liberia since the 19th century, a legacy of the country’s unique history as a settlement for freed African Americans. Trump’s comments were seen not just as ignorant, but also as a manifestation of the West’s deeply ingrained colonial mindset and its failure to engage respectfully with sovereign nations, especially those in Africa.

Foday Massaquio, a leading voice in Liberia’s opposition, called the remarks offensive and emblematic of how Western powers still refuse to treat African states as equals. “It proves that the West is not taking us seriously as Africans,” Massaquio stated. “President Trump was condescending; he was very disrespectful to the African leader.”

Even as some in Boakai’s administration attempted to brush off the comments diplomatically, frustration was evident. Kula Fofana, spokesperson for the Liberian president, emphasized that attention should be given to the content of the summit and its potential outcomes, not the theatrics. She stressed Liberia’s hopes for meaningful bilateral cooperation, though the tone of the meeting may have already undermined that goal.

Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia’s foreign minister, attempted to downplay the controversy by characterizing Trump’s comments as a benign acknowledgment of Liberia’s American-influenced linguistic heritage. “No offence was taken,” she claimed, though many observers view such interpretations as overly generous and strategically cautious.

Beyond this singular exchange, deeper discontent is brewing in Liberia due to broader U.S. policy decisions. Earlier this month, the United States terminated its longstanding charity-based foreign aid framework, effectively shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Liberia. This decision came as a shock, especially considering that American financial aid once accounted for over 2.6 percent of Liberia’s gross national income, the highest share globally, according to the Center for Global Development.

The disappointment felt in Liberia is intensified by the historical ties the country shares with Washington. Liberia’s political system, symbols, and even street designs are heavily modeled after the U.S., a reflection of its founding by freed African Americans in the 1800s. Many Liberians still refer to the U.S. as their “big brother.” But that fraternal relationship is now being reevaluated by many.

Moses Dennis, a businessman from the capital Monrovia, expressed his dismay plainly: “President Boakai did not travel to Washington for an English-speaking competition.” Like many others, he sees Trump’s comments as both humiliating and indicative of how the West continues to approach Africa with arrogance rather than partnership.

Siokin Civicus Barsi-Giah, a close ally of former President George Weah, was even more direct. “Liberia is an English-speaking country. We were mocked, not praised,” he said. He explained how the country was founded by people fleeing slavery and that it deserves to be treated with dignity, not incredulity.

While a minority tried to interpret Trump’s remarks as a form of clumsy praise, others like Abraham Julian Wennah, a researcher at the African Methodist Episcopal University, argued that the exchange reflects a long-standing Western habit of questioning the intellectual capabilities of African leaders. “In postcolonial contexts, language has long been weaponized to question legitimacy and competence,” Wennah said. While he acknowledged that Trump’s rhetorical style may lack finesse, he ultimately sees the remarks as emblematic of broader power imbalances and racialized assumptions.

What this incident illustrates is not just the personal failings of one former U.S. president but a systemic pattern in Western diplomatic conduct, one steeped in outdated hierarchies and dismissive attitudes. In an increasingly multipolar world, nations like Liberia, and their partners in Asia and Eurasia, are increasingly questioning the benefits of a U.S.-centric global order.