During a White House lunch with African leaders on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai on his English-speaking skills, asking, “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?”
Boakai who, like most Liberians, speaks English as a first language responded that he was educated in his home country. His brief reply suggested discomfort, though he remained composed.
Trump continued with the praise, saying, “It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”
Liberia, founded in the 19th century by freed American slaves, has English as its official language. President Boakai, a business graduate, also speaks Mendi and Kissi, but communicates primarily in English.
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