MONROVIA, Liberia — U.S. President Donald Trump's praise of the ''beautiful'' English of Liberia's President Joseph Boakai drew confusion Thursday in the English-speaking African country and umbrage over what many considered condescending remarks.
''Such good English,'' Trump said to Boakai during an event at the White House, with visible surprise. ''Such beautiful English.''
Although English has been the official language of Liberia since the country's founding in the 1800s, Trump asked Boakai where he had learned to speak the language ''so beautifully,'' and continued as Boakai murmured a response. ''Where were you educated? Where? In Liberia?''
The exchange took place Wednesday during a meeting in the White House between Trump and five West African leaders, amid a pivot from aid to trade in U.S. foreign policy.
Boakai's government said it took no offense at Trump's remarks, but other groups in Liberia described the remarks as an insult.
The White House declined to comment on whether Trump was aware that English was Liberia's official language. Massad Boulos, the president's senior adviser for Africa, stressed that Trump ''actually complimented the language skills of the Liberian president,'' and that everyone at the meeting was ''deeply appreciative" of the president's time and effort.
Trump's comments draw mixed reaction
Liberia has had deep ties with the United States for centuries, stemming from the drive to relocate freed slaves from the United States.