Lesotho shocked by Trump’s remarks that ‘nobody has heard of the country’

Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane and US President Trump

|Published 1:05 PM ET, Wednesday March 5, 2025|

In a recent address to Congress, President Donald Trump referred to Lesotho as a nation “nobody has ever heard of” while criticizing U.S. foreign aid expenditures, specifically mentioning $8 million allocated to promote LGBTQI+ initiatives in the country. This remark elicited laughter from some members of Congress.​

Lesotho’s Foreign Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, expressed shock and offense at the President’s comment, stating it was “quite insulting” and inviting President Trump and others to visit Lesotho to appreciate its uniqueness. He emphasized that Lesotho is a sovereign nation with a significant identity and highlighted the presence of a U.S. embassy in the country, underscoring existing diplomatic relations. ​

Mpotjoane said it was “shocking” to hear a head of state “refer to another sovereign state in that manner”.

“To my surprise, ‘the country that nobody has heard of’ is the country where the US has a permanent mission,” Mpotjoane told the BBC.

“Lesotho is a member of the UN and of a number of other international bodies. And the US has an embassy here, and [there are] a number of US organizations we’ve accommodated here in Maseru.”

Despite President Trump’s dismissive remark, Lesotho has been engaging with prominent U.S. figures. Notably, Elon Musk, a key advisor to President Trump, has been in discussions with Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Sam Matekane, exploring potential business ventures, including the implementation of Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service in the country. ​

Lesotho, often referred to as “The Kingdom in the Sky,” is a mountainous nation entirely surrounded by South Africa, with a population of approximately 2.3 million people. It has received substantial U.S. assistance over the years, particularly in combating HIV/AIDS, with over $630 million committed since 2006. The country’s textile and garment industry is also a major supplier to U.S. brands under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). ​

The incident has highlighted the complexities and sensitivities in international relations, especially concerning perceptions of smaller nations and the impact of foreign aid policies

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