Trump asks Liberian president where he learned English, his country's official language

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump was basking successful the praise of a radical of African leaders connected Wednesday, galore of them speaking a antithetic language, erstwhile the Liberian president took to his microphone and spoke successful English - his country's authoritative language.

"Liberia is simply a longtime person of the United States and we judge successful your argumentation of making America large again," President Joseph Boakai said astatine a White House gathering earlier advocating for U.S. concern successful his country. "We conscionable privation to convey you truthful overmuch for this opportunity."

Trump was impressed and inquired wherever Boakai got his connection skills.

"Such bully English," Trump said. "Where did you larn to talk truthful beautifully?"

Boakai seemed to chuckle.

"In Liberia?" Trump asked. "Yes sir," Boakai said.

"That's precise interesting," Trump said. "I person radical astatine this array who can't talk astir arsenic well."

Liberia was founded successful 1822 arsenic a colony for escaped Black Americans, the brainchild of achromatic Americans trying to code what they saw arsenic a occupation - the aboriginal for Black radical successful the United States erstwhile slavery ended. English is Liberia's authoritative language, though aggregate Indigenous languages are spoken determination arsenic well.

(Reporting by Jeff MasonEditing by Rod Nickel)