Lesotho’s government has expressed outrage after former U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the African nation as little-known while criticizing American foreign aid. Foreign Minister Lejone Mpotjoane called Trump’s remarks “insulting” and invited him to visit Lesotho.
Trump made the comments during his address to Congress on Tuesday, citing Lesotho among countries receiving aid he viewed as wasteful.
“Eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho, which nobody has ever heard of,” Trump said, prompting laughter from lawmakers.
Mpotjoane condemned the statement, saying Lesotho is a distinct and recognized nation. “I’m really shocked that my country can be referred to like that by a head of state,” he told Reuters.
Lesotho, a mountainous enclave entirely surrounded by South Africa, is known as the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’ due to its high altitude. With a population of about two million, it has longstanding diplomatic relations with the United States, which provides funding for health, agriculture, and LGBTQ+ programs through its embassy in Maseru.
Acknowledging Lesotho’s reliance on U.S. assistance, Mpotjoane said the government is working toward self-sufficiency. He acknowledged Trump’s right to adjust aid policies under his “America First” agenda but objected to how Lesotho was characterized.
“The decision to cut aid is the president’s prerogative. We have to accept that,” he said. “But to refer to my country in such a way is quite unfortunate.”
Trump’s administration made sweeping foreign aid cuts, redirecting funds to domestic priorities. The reductions have impacted Lesotho’s health sector, which has relied on American support for years.
