Lesotho Surprised by Trump’s Statement that ‘Nobody Knows About the Country’

The government of Lesotho has been surprised by US President Donald Trump’s statement that “no one has ever heard of” the nation of Lesotho, located in Southern Africa.

Trump, addressing the US Congress in his first speech since returning to office, mentioned the country while outlining measures to reduce unnecessary spending.

He said: “Eight million dollars for the promotion of same-sex relationships, that is, LGBTQI+, in the nation of Lesotho, which no one has ever heard of,” the statement drew laughter from some US Congressmen.

A spokesperson for Lesotho’s Department of Foreign Affairs told the BBC that the country has good and friendly relations with the United States.

According to US government figures, the two countries traded $240 million worth of goods in 2024, mainly through Lesotho’s exports to the US, including clothing and apparel.

Lesotho’s Foreign Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, said it was surprising to hear a national leader refer to another independent country in such derogatory terms.

“I’m surprised, ‘the country no one has ever heard of’ is a country where the US has a permanent presence,” Mpotjoane told the BBC.

He added that Lesotho is a member of the United Nations and is also a member of other international organizations.

“The United States has an embassy here and there are also many American organizations with offices here in Maseru,” he said.

Mpotjoane stressed that Lesotho will take the remarks seriously, and will send a formal letter of complaint to the US government.

Mpotjoane added that he did not confirm Trump’s statement about LGBTQ funds, but explained that the funds were directed directly to the relevant organizations.

Mpotjoane, on the other hand, admitted that the country was affected by Trump’s sudden decision to suspend international aid through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), as part of efforts to reduce US government spending.

Pepfar, founded in 2003 by former President George W. Bush, helped countries like Lesotho implement projects to combat tuberculosis and AIDS, through financial support from USAID.

By: BBC