When you think there is no more ridiculous moment in the White House, Donald Trump arrives and you are surprised. This Wednesday, the president of the United States met with his counterparts from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal in the White House, and made the president of Liberia live, Joseph Boakai, a moment at least uncomfortable.
“Liberia has long been friends with the United States and we believe in its policy of making the United States again,” Boakai said in English before defending US investment in his country. “We want to thank you very much for this opportunity,” he continued.
To which Trump replied, apparently surprised: “What a good English, how beautiful …” “Where did you learn to speak it so well? Where did you study?”
Boakai did not know very well where to get into, considering that Liberia's official language is English. So Trump insisted: “Was it in Liberia?” To which his counterpart replied: “Yes.”
“How interesting, how beautiful English,” the American followed. “There are people on this table who don't know how to speak it so well,” he said.
Liberia, on the west coast of Africa, was founded in 1822 by the American colonization society as a colony for African Americans who had been released from slavery in the United States. English is, therefore, official language of the country, although more than 30 indigenous languages are spoken among the population.
The independence of the US was achieved in 1847, becoming the first and oldest modern republic of Africa, although Liberia was dominated by the Américo-Liberian elite at least until the end of the 20th century.
