Trump made the remarks at a White House meeting with the leaders of several African nations. Many Liberians are the descendants of freed American slaves.

Donald Trump’s praise of his Liberian counterpart, Joseph Boakai, prompted criticism and offense in the country. Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Society whose goal was to resettle freed slaves in Africa.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s praise of the “beautiful” English of Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai has drawn confusion in the English-speaking African country.