Six Things Trump Should Know About Liberia’s Deep Ties to the U.S.

When President Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for speaking “good English,” he overlooked the rich and historic ties between the U.S. and the West African nation. Here are six essential facts he should know about Liberia:

1. Liberia Was Founded by Freed African Americans

Liberia originated in 1822 as a settlement for freed African-American slaves. It declared independence in 1847 and maintained strong ties with the United States ever since. Ten of its 26 presidents were born in the U.S., and English became the official language. Americo-Liberians, descendants of those settlers, governed the country for over a century, deeply shaping its culture and institutions.

2. The Capital Honors a U.S. President

Monrovia, Liberia’s capital, was named after James Monroe, the fifth U.S. president. Monroe supported the American Colonization Society, which led the movement to resettle freed African Americans in West Africa. Monrovia’s architecture, street names, and even hospitals—like the John F. Kennedy Medical Center—reflect its American roots.

3. Liberia’s Flag Closely Resembles the U.S. Flag

Liberia’s flag features 11 red and white stripes and a single white star in a blue square—intentionally mirroring the U.S. flag. Designed by seven African American women, the flag symbolizes Liberia’s founding as the first independent African republic.

4. The Former President’s Son Plays for Team USA

Timothy Weah, son of former Liberian President and soccer legend George Weah, represents the U.S. national soccer team. Born in New York, Timothy currently plays for Juventus in Italy and recently met President Trump at the White House.

5. Liberia Produced Africa’s First Female Elected President

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, elected in 2005, became the continent’s first female president. Educated in the U.S., she later won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for promoting women’s rights and peace following Liberia’s civil war. Forbes named her one of the world’s most powerful women in 2016.

6. Liberia Hosts the World’s Largest Rubber Plantation

Firestone Liberia, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, operates the world’s largest rubber plantation. Established in 1926, the plantation spans 185 square miles and remains Liberia’s largest private employer. Despite past controversies, rubber continues to be a top export to the U.S.

Mixed Reactions to Trump’s Remark

Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti dismissed criticism of Trump’s comment, explaining that Liberia’s American English intonation often surprises outsiders unfamiliar with Africa’s multilingual landscape.

“We were not offended at all,” she said, noting the private conversations between Trump and Boakai acknowledged their nations’ shared history.

However, some Liberians voiced concern. Accountant Joe Manley called for better briefing before such meetings. “Our president represents a country with a rich educational tradition,” he said.

Human resources expert Henrietta Peters Magbollah saw the remark as a reflection of global ignorance: “Most people outside Africa don’t know much about us—only stereotypes of poverty and war.”

Lawyer Kanio Gbala took a more charitable view, calling Trump’s words a sincere compliment: “Reading it as disrespectful may reflect political agendas.”

For author: Staff News
Courtesy of: Forbes
Source: BBC News