US President Donald Trump on Wednesday heaped praise on Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his English-speaking ability, without appearing to know that it is the West African nation’s lingua franca.

The moment took place as Trump hosted a White House lunch with African leaders and after Boakai made some brief remarks in English.

‘Such good English’ — Trump tells Boakai

“We want to work with the United States in peace and security within the region, because we are committed to that,” President Boakai said at the White House meeting. “And we just want to thank you so much for this opportunity,” Boakai said.

“Thank you, and such good English… Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?” Trump said.

“In Liberia?” Trump asked. “Yes sir,” Boakai responded after chuckling at the initial question.

“That’s very interesting,” Trump said. “I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”

English is Liberia’s official language

Liberia has multiple Indigenous languages, although English is recognized as the official language.

President Joseph Boakai, like many Liberians, speaks English fluently but also understands and speaks several Indigenous languages.

The country was founded in 1822 for free Black Americans with independence being declared in 1847.

Trump has in the past been accused of not doing much to endear himself to African states and caused a high degree of outrage in 2018 when, during his first term, he reportedly referred to African nations as“s***thole countries.”

The remark was allegedly made when Trump questioned why the US was accepting immigrants from Haiti and the continent rather than places like Norway.

Trump denies having used the term, although multiple sources present at the meeting confirmed the language to media outlets at the time.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher