President Donald Trump’s sit down with Liberian President Joseph Boakai took the world by storm after he praised the African leader for speaking “good English.” But what’s more jarring about Trump’s offensive statement is the message it sends internationally, and folks are taking fierce stances against it.
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Never mind that Liberia’s official language is in fact English, Trump’s remarks to Boakai on July 9 proves he either knows very little about the close and complex history between the two countries or that he knew but just doesn’t care– which many believe is the case. Liberia was founded by freed African-American slaves in 1822, and since then, American culture has been woven into Liberia’s political and cultural history.
In fact, 10 of the African nation’s presidents were born in the U.S., and as the current leader of the free world, Trump should know that America is deemed the “big brother” of the West African nation. But in true Trump fashion, his confusing interaction with Boakai only further exposes the blanketed view many Americans have of countries across the world.
“Praising an African head of state for speaking English ‘so beautifully’ isn’t a compliment, it’s a reflection of how deeply colonial thinking continues to shape expectations,” William V.S. Tubman III, a Liberian writer and grandson of former President William Tubman told Reuters. “What Trump said wasn’t ignorance. It was disrespect and entitlement disguised as praise.”
Many chalked Trump’s misstep up as a simple mistake, giving him the benefit of the doubt. But it’s a well-known fact that political leaders are prepped before going into any meeting, especially with another president. And although Trump insiders revealed the “unpredictable” way he conducts his diplomatic discussions, his most recent one with the African leader is still surprising.
Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett called the president out, citing his long history of blunders. “Trump never misses an opportunity to be racist and wrong, and every day he finds a new way to be embarrassing,” she wrote on X.
Trump has a tendency of fumbling with African leaders. Back in May, he sat down with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for a public meeting in the White House, and instead of a civil conversation about strengthening the relationship between the two countries, Trump practically ambushed the man.
He brought a slideshow presentation and a stack of documents all while completely disregarding Ramaphosa’s attempt to actually handle business. Instead, Trump perpetuated the false narrative of a white genocide in South Africa– which international experts have continued to refute. But back to Liberia…
On the surface, Trump’s remarks to President Boakai seemed sincere, and many Liberians say that’s part of the broader problem. “As a matter of fact, it also proves that the West is not taking us seriously as Africans,” Foday Massaquoi, chairman of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change-Council of Patriots said, according to NBC News. “President Trump was condescending, he was very disrespectful to the African leader.”
On the flip side, Liberia has done nothing but honor its multifaceted history with the U.S. The country’s capital, Monrovia, is even named after American President James Monroe, who supported the American Colonization Society (ACS), according to BBC. The Liberian flag– which draws keen resemblance to the U.S. flag– was even designed by American-born Black women.
Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, defended the president, however, saying he “actually complimented the language skills of the Liberian president.” Boulos continued that the officials in the meeting were “deeply appreciative” of Trump’s time, AP News reported.
Liberia’s foreign minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, amplified this sentiment, saying Boakai was not upset over Trump’s comments. “What President Trump heard distinctly was the American influence on our English in Liberia, and the Liberian president is not offended by that,” she said.
Yesterday’s meeting was just another example of how the 47th president views America in regards to other countries, especially African ones. But in the midst of Trump’s overbearing shadow, President Boakai handled the meeting with knowledge and grace… exemplifying exactly how a president should prepare for a formal meeting.
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