Rep. Jasmine Crockett has condemned former President Donald Trump for his controversial remarks about Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s English fluency. The exchange occurred during a White House meeting with African leaders, where Trump praised Boakai’s “beautiful English” and asked where he learned to speak it.
The comments sparked backlash, as English is Liberia’s official language—a nation founded by freed U.S. slaves in the 19th century. Critics, including Crockett, called Trump’s remarks racially insensitive and ignorant of Liberia’s deep historical ties to America.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions over Trump’s diplomatic approach and raises questions about his awareness of Liberia’s unique legacy as Africa’s first republic.
- Rep. Jasmine Crockett condemned Trump as “racist and wrong” after he praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s English skills during a White House meeting, unaware that English is Liberia’s official language due to its historical ties to freed American slaves.
- The incident occurred during a lunch with African leaders, where Trump remarked, “Such good English, that’s beautiful—where did you learn to speak so beautifully?”, sparking backlash for its perceived racial insensitivity.
- Liberia, founded by formerly enslaved African Americans in the 19th century, adopted English as its official language and modeled its constitution after the U.S., a fact overlooked in Trump’s comments.
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Jasmine Crockett Slams Trump’s Liberia Comments – Why Was He Shocked by English-Speaking African Leader and What’s Liberia’s US Slave History?
Why Did Trump Praise Liberia’s President for Speaking English? (And Why It Backfired)
President Donald Trump’s recent remarks praising Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his “good English” have sparked widespread criticism, with Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett calling the comments “racist and wrong.” The incident occurred during a White House meeting with African leaders, where Trump appeared surprised by Boakai’s fluency in English—unaware that Liberia’s official language is English due to its unique historical ties to the United States.
Liberia was founded in the 19th century by freed African American slaves, and its constitution mirrors that of the U.S. English has been the official language since its inception, making Trump’s remarks appear ignorant of basic historical facts. The Liberian leader, educated in his home country, responded politely, but the incident quickly drew backlash across Africa and beyond.
Liberia’s Founding by Freed US Slaves: The Backstory Trump Missed
Liberia’s history is deeply intertwined with that of the United States. In the early 1800s, the American Colonization Society (ACS) promoted the resettlement of freed African American slaves to West Africa. Between 1822 and 1861, thousands of freed slaves and free-born African Americans migrated to what would become Liberia, establishing a society modeled after the U.S.
The capital, Monrovia, was named after U.S. President James Monroe, a supporter of colonization. The Liberian Declaration of Independence in 1847 mirrored the U.S. version, and the country’s flag bears a striking resemblance to the Stars and Stripes.
Who Is Jasmine Crockett and Why Is She Calling Trump Racist?
Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett has emerged as a vocal critic of Trump’s remarks. She took to social media to condemn what she called “peak ignorance,” pointing out that Liberia’s official language is English. Crockett, a former public defender and civil rights attorney, has positioned herself as a progressive voice challenging what she sees as racist dog whistles in politics.
Crockett’s criticism reflects growing frustration among African Americans and Liberian immigrants who see Trump’s comments as symptomatic of a broader lack of understanding about Africa and its diaspora. Her response went viral, resonating with many who view such remarks as microaggressions rooted in colonial attitudes.
Why This Matters to African Diaspora Communities
For the Liberian diaspora in America—particularly in states like Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Georgia with large Liberian populations—Trump’s remarks felt particularly offensive. Many descendants of freed slaves who settled Liberia still maintain strong cultural and familial ties to the U.S.
Trump’s History of Controversial Africa Remarks: From “Shithole Countries” to Now
This isn’t the first time Trump has drawn criticism for his comments about Africa. In 2018, he reportedly referred to some African nations as “shithole countries” during a meeting about immigration. More recently, his administration has pushed policies that reduce African immigration and criticized South Africa’s land reform efforts.
Comparing this incident with previous ones reveals a pattern of dismissiveness toward African nations that contrasts sharply with his administration’s stated goal of strengthening US-Africa economic ties. The disconnect has led to skepticism about the sincerity of such diplomatic efforts.
How Are Liberians Reacting? (Spoiler: They’re Not Happy)
On social media and in interviews, many Liberians expressed frustration with Trump’s remarks. While some dismissed it as typical American ignorance about Africa, others saw it as reinforcing colonial attitudes about African inferiority.
Liberian journalist Moses Kollie Garzeawu tweeted: “Next time, maybe Trump will praise the French president for speaking French.” The sarcastic comment highlighted the absurdity of praising someone for speaking their own national language.
What Does Liberia’s English Sound Like? (Hint: It’s Unique)
Liberian English has distinct dialects influenced by indigenous languages and American English varieties from the 19th century. The educated elite speak a form close to standard American English, while rural areas have creolized varieties.
This linguistic diversity reflects Liberia’s complex history—neither fully American nor traditionally African, but something unique. President Boakai’s speech represents the educated elite variety, making Trump’s surprise even more puzzling to linguists familiar with Liberia.
Why Don’t More Americans Know About Liberia’s History?
Liberia’s founding by freed slaves is rarely taught in U.S. history classes, contributing to widespread ignorance about this unique relationship. The colonization movement that created Liberia was controversial even in its time, with abolitionists like Frederick Douglass opposing it as racist.
The omission of this history in American education helps explain why even a U.S. president might be unaware of Liberia’s linguistic and constitutional ties to America. However, some argue that world leaders should educate themselves before making public remarks about other nations.
Could This Hurt US-Liberia Relations? Experts Weigh In
While the Liberian government officially downplayed the incident, diplomatic analysts suggest such gaffes strain relationships at a time when the U.S. is competing with China for influence in Africa. Liberia has historically been one of America’s closest African allies, but repeated cultural missteps could push it toward other partners.