An awkward video has been floating around on X of President Donald Trump‘s lunch with West African Leaders that he hosted Wednesday (July 9) at the White House. In the video, the President of Liberia, Joseph Boakai, thanks Donald Trump for the opportunity to work with the United States.
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In response, Trump asks Boakai how he learned to speak English…not realizing that English is the official language of Liberia.
“Well, thank you, and such good English, beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Were you educated? Where? In Liberia? Well, that’s very interesting.”
Of course, the video had Black folks on X talking with many, admittedly, embarrassed by Trump’s question:
“He’s so embarrassing,” wrote one user.
“Our president literally has worse geography skills than a kindergartner, what a joke,” wrote another.
In response to the President’s questioning, President Boakai politely laughed and responded with a simple ‘yes’ that he was educated in Liberia:
“The bar to be President is an abyss, man,” posted another user in the replies.
Liberia is a country that was founded as a place to relocate freed African American slaves in the 19th century, according to the BBC. The relocation served as a solution to the “issue” of African Americans who roamed freely on American soil.
However, today the population of the descendants of African American slaves in Liberia is at 5% with indigenous Africans making up the majority of the population, per the BBC. Though English remains the official language of Liberia, like many African countries, many native languages are also spoken throughout the country.
One user on X pointed out that Trump must not know about the history Liberia has with America. “I don’t think Trump knows that Liberia was established as a free colony for Black Americans in the 19th century.”
Another user wondered why the president wasn’t briefed about Liberia’s history before hosting the lunch. “You would think his team would give him some history about the US and Liberia… oh, well. Next story.”
Outside of the awkward interaction, the lunch was to discuss African trade deals with the U.S., and many West African Leaders were present, according to The Guardian. By the end of the lunch, the leaders were thanking and praising Trump for discussing the investment of America in African countries.
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