Keypoints:
- Trump praised Boakai’s English, unaware it’s Liberia’s official language
- Liberia’s foreign minister said no offence was taken
- A viral tribute song has emerged celebrating Boakai
LIBERIA has brushed aside a diplomatic gaffe by US President Donald Trump after he praised President Joseph Boakai for his English-speaking skills, apparently unaware that English is Liberia’s official language.
According to Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, President Boakai was not offended by the comment, made during a White House meeting earlier this week. On the contrary, the episode has inspired a viral tribute song that has captured the national imagination.
‘We were honoured by the White House’s invitation to President Boakai for a meeting with President Trump and fellow African leaders,’ Nyanti told AFP on July 11. ‘No offence was taken.’
Trump praises Boakai’s ‘good English’
The incident took place at a mini-summit hosted by President Trump at the White House, where Boakai appeared alongside leaders from five French-speaking, mineral-rich West African nations.
While addressing Boakai’s remarks, Trump commented: ‘Such good English… Where were you educated?’
Boakai, who like most Liberians speaks English as his first language, chuckled and responded that he was educated in his home country.
Liberia, a country founded in 1822 by freed African Americans through the American Colonization Society, has English as its official and dominant language. Its historical ties to the United States are long-standing, with Liberia declaring independence in 1847 under a government led by Americo-Liberians—descendants of the original settlers.
Tribute song goes viral
While Trump’s offhand remark could have sparked backlash, it instead gave rise to a burst of cultural pride in Liberia. Singer and former cultural ambassador Queen Juli Endee composed a tribute track for President Boakai, celebrating his leadership and command of the English language.
In the widely shared video, she sings: ‘We salute JNB, our black president, Beautiful English King of Africa.’ Her band is seen waving US flags and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with images of both Boakai and Trump.
Nyanti said the Liberian government remained committed to strengthening its longstanding relationship with Washington, stressing that such ties should be ‘built on mutual respect’.
Historical context matters
Liberia is often described as America’s daughter republic in Africa. Founded as a settlement for freed slaves, the country’s political and linguistic identity has always been closely tied to the United States.
While Trump’s remark may have raised eyebrows internationally, it was met in Liberia with humour and a reaffirmation of cultural pride—demonstrating a rare moment of diplomacy through music and laughter.
