Lesotho “disappointed” in Trump says he has never heard of African countries – National
Lesotho's foreign secretary said no one had heard of the small country in his speech on Tuesday.
Minister Lejone Mpotjoane said Wednesday: “It is surprising and disappointing that he claims no one knows Lesotho.”
“He should speak for himself rather than generalize.” He believes that the president's goal is Lesotho because it is not wealthy, but warns that one day the United States may turn to support.
In a 100-minute long speech, Trump mocked the landlocked country he mentioned, which was surrounded by South Africa, asking why the United States has a foreign aid contract with the country.
“No one has heard of the eight million dollars promoting LGBTQI+ in Lesotho, Africa,” Trump said, smiling from behind the podium by Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Mike Johnson.
Lesotho is a long-term recipient of U.S. financial aid. It has received funding through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for nearly two decades, which sent more than $44 million last year.
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Asked about Trump's comments on promoting LGBTQ2+ rights in Lesotho, the Foreign Secretary said he was unaware of the above $8 million contract, as U.S. Agency for International Development's funds were allocated primarily through NGOs.
Despite Trump's calm dismissal of the country's existence, Elon Musk has close ties to Lesotho.
Musk, who heads the newly created Ministry of Government Efficiency (DOGE), met with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane last September to discuss establishing Starlink access for the country's 2.3 million residents.
SpaceX's subsidiary Starlink is Musk's Internet satellite provider and has applied for a license to operate in Lesotho.
Lesotho Communications Authority confirmed in February that it had obtained a 10-year license from Starlink.
On September 24, Matekane shared photos at a meeting with Musk. “Exciting developments,” he wrote.
The company is bidding to win contracts from many African countries and is already available throughout much of the continent, including Nigeria, Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, about 491 kilometers north of Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, where the U.S. Embassy is also located.
– Documents with the Associated Press
& Copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
