IN TODAY'S NEWS; The Liberian government on Saturday dismissed any notion of offence over a recent comment by former U.S. President Donald Trump, in which he asked, “Where were you educated?” during a campaign appearance that referenced Liberia.


Speaking at a press briefing in Monrovia, Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah emphasized the long-standing ties between Liberia and the United States, saying that Liberians “understand the spirit of robust political debate” in America and were not taking Trump’s words personally.



> “Our people know that such rhetorical flourishes are part of the American political tradition,” Minister Kemayah said. “We value our friendship with the United States and take no offence at being part of a spirited discussion on education and leadership.”



According to video excerpts circulated online, President Trump addressing an audience in South Carolina had rhetorically challenged one of his opponents on foreign policy credentials by asking, “Where were you educated? Liberia? I love Liberia, but…” The remark quickly went viral, prompting reactions from around the globe.



Minister Kemayah noted that Liberia’s own educational institutions have produced leaders who serve at the highest levels in countries worldwide, including the U.S. Congress, the judiciary, and the diplomatic corps. He highlighted Liberian-Americans like former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and noted that “our diaspora has long been an integral thread in the American fabric.


The Foreign Ministry also used the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to deepening educational and technical exchanges with the United States. Plans are underway to expand scholarship slots for Liberian students under the U.S. Mandela Washington Fellowship and to negotiate a new memorandum of understanding on teacher-training programs.


Political analysts in Monrovia see the minister’s response as a deft diplomatic balancing act acknowledging the frisson of American electioneering while steering clear of any escalation. “This administration has chosen to treat the comment as what it is: a bit of campy political theatre,” said Dr. Alexis Gbanda, a lecturer at the University of Liberia. “They’ve defused any potential tensions and turned it into an opportunity for positive engagement.”


As attention now shifts back to both the U.S. campaign trail and Liberia’s own preparations for 2027 elections, officials here appear content to let the remark fade confident that the partnership between the two nations remains on solid ground.