Donald Trump spoke at the White House and made a surprising statement. He talked about “the Congo” and then said, “I don’t know what that is.” Many people were shocked because Congo is a real country in Africa with over 100 million people.
This happened on Thursday. Trump was meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Reporters asked him about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man from Maryland who was wrongly deported to a dangerous jail in El Salvador. Trump didn’t want to answer. He said he was “not involved” and quickly changed the subject. Then he made the strange comment about Congo.
Trump said, “They released [people from] jails … from all over the world. The Congo in Africa. Many, many people come from the Congo.”
Then he added, “I don’t know what that is, but they came from the Congo.”
Trump: “People that were in jail for horrible — you know, they release jails from all over the world and release them. Not just South America. The Congo in Africa. Many many people come from the Congo. I don’t know what that is, but they came from the Congo.” pic.twitter.com/rGMHLIOlq7
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 17, 2025
People were surprised. One person wrote:
“He’s talking about entire countries like they’re mysterious jungle creatures.” – @nikosunity
He’s talking about entire countries like they’re mysterious jungle creatures. “I don’t know what that is” he’s describing the Congo like it’s a mythical beast, not a nation of 100 million people.
— Nikos Unity (@nikosunity) April 17, 2025
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Another person said:
“This is the same guy that brags about his cognitive test btw.”
This is the same guy that brags about his cognitive test btw
— Simon (@SimonUTD11) April 17, 2025
But this is not just a joke. Congo is an important country. Right now, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is working with the United States. They are making deals about minerals like cobalt, copper, and gold. These minerals are used to make phones, electric cars, and computers. Knowing about Congo is very important.
One expert said:
“The DRC exports over $300 million worth of goods to the U.S. every year. A president should know that.” – @SoulBossaNova_
“The Democratic Republic of the Congo (which exports over $300 million/yr of copper/goods to the US.”
Today a sitting President freely admits he has never heard of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (which exports over $300 million/yr of copper/goods to the US) and it’s no biggie.
— ɱιƙҽ (@SoulBossaNova_) April 17, 2025
Big companies like Apple and Tesla, as well as Elon Musk’s companies, use these minerals.
Trump often talks badly about immigrants. He says they are being sent to the U.S. from jails in other countries.
A group called Call to Activism said his comment showed “an unbelievable showing of stupidity.”
They also said:
“He is the dumbest president we ever had.”
WTF. In an unbelievable showing of stupidity, Donald Trump admits he doesn’t know where the Congo in Africa is: “many people come from the Congo. I don’t know what that is.” He is the dumbest president we ever had. pic.twitter.com/o785Qpe8Ry
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) April 17, 2025
This is not the first time Trump has made unusual comments about geography. Before, he called Belgium a “beautiful city,” even though it is a country. He also said Hurricane Dorian might hit Alabama, despite experts’ predictions that it wouldn’t.
But this is also serious. A president should be aware of where and what Congo is. It’s not a small town. It is a large country in Africa with numerous natural resources. It helps power the world’s technology.
As one person said:
“Geography matters when you’re leading a nation. This isn’t just ignorance; it’s a dangerous blind spot.”
Trump’s cluelessness about the Congo is a new low, geography matters when you’re leading a nation. This isn’t just ignorance; it’s a dangerous blind spot for someone who once held the nuclear codes. We deserve better than a president who can’t find Africa on a map.
— Richard Angwin (@RichardAngwin) April 17, 2025
Featured image via Screengrab