Donald Trump was basking in the praise of a group of African leaders on Wednesday, when the Liberian president took the microphone.

“Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States and we believe in your policy of making America great again,” President Joseph Boakai said in English at a White House meeting before advocating for US investment in his country. “We just want to thank you so much for this opportunity.”

Trump, clearly impressed, inquired where Boakai got his language skills.

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

Boakai seemed to chuckle. English is the official language of Liberia.

“In Liberia?” Trump asked. “Yes sir,” Boakai said.

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

Liberia was founded in 1822 as a colony for free Black Americans, the brainchild of white Americans trying to address what they saw as a problem – the future for Black people in the US once slavery ended. English is Liberia’s official language, though multiple Indigenous languages are spoken there as well.