In brief
Lesotho's government expressed shock over President Trump's comments dismissing the country's significance, highlighting its strong ties with the U.S. and contributions to trade and public health through various programs.
Lesotho's government is in an uproar following U.S. President Donald Trump's derogatory remarks stating that "nobody has ever heard of" the southern African country during a congressional speech. Trump made this statement while discussing budget cuts, specifically referencing an $8 million expenditure on LGBTQI+ initiatives in Lesotho, which he claimed was wasteful, prompting laughter from lawmakers.The Foreign Affairs Minister of Lesotho, Lejone Mpotjoane, condemned Trump's remarks as "shocking," emphasizing that the country is recognized globally as a member of the UN and other international organizations. "To my surprise, 'the country that nobody has heard of' is home to the U.S. permanent mission," he remarked.While officials noted that Trump's comments were likely made in jest and did not reflect the relationship between Lesotho and the U.S., they reiterated the importance of their diplomatic ties. Foreign affairs spokesperson Kutloano Pheko insisted upon the warmth of relations, mentioning active U.S. embassies in both nations.Despite the cordial diplomacy, Lesotho has recently been impacted by cuts in U.S. aid funding under Trump's administration, especially from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), which has contributed significantly to health programs in the nation. While Mpotjoane acknowledged these cuts, he refrained from criticizing the U.S. government's decisions, recognizing it as their prerogative.
