Lesotho’s Foreign Minister Expresses Outrage Over Trump’s Congress Speech Mockery

Lesotho’s government was caught off guard by a comment from former US President Donald Trump. He described the southern African nation as a place “nobody has ever heard of” while discussing aid cuts in Congress. His remarks included a reference to an eight million dollar aid program aimed at promoting LGBTQI+ rights in Lesotho, which drew laughter from Republican lawmakers.

The foreign minister of Lesotho, Lejone Mpotjoane, expressed that the government was “shocked and embarrassed.” He stated that it was unexpected for a leader to speak about another sovereign nation in such a way. Lesotho is known for its mountainous terrain, and the US has an embassy in its capital, Maseru, alongside volunteers from the Peace Corps.

Mpotjoane emphasized that they would not dismiss Trump’s comments lightly and plans to send an official protest letter to the US government. Interestingly, Lesotho’s main LGBTQ rights organization claimed they had not received any funding from the US. Spokesperson Tampose Mothopeng said they were unaware of the mentioned eight million dollars and pointed out that the US government’s foreign assistance website did not list any financial support for LGBTQ initiatives in the country.

Lesotho, which has about 2.3 million residents, faces significant health challenges, particularly with HIV. It has one of the highest rates of HIV infection globally, with nearly one in four adults living with the virus. Since 2006, the US has committed over $630 million to combat HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, with a significant portion allocated to health programs in 2024.

However, there are concerns that disruptions to US aid could jeopardize these essential health services. Many nonprofit organizations warned that the country’s HIV programs could collapse without this support. After Trump’s administration halted much of the US foreign aid in early February, volunteers were directed to suspend HIV prevention efforts.

Following Trump’s comments, many citizens of Lesotho expressed confusion and indignation. Journalist Kananelo Boloetse took to social media to highlight their pride in being a unique nation, stating that Lesotho is the only country entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation. They pointed out the beauty and significance of their homeland, affirming, “We’re here, we’re proud, and we’re not your punchline.”

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