It was supposed to be a diplomatic moment, but it quickly turned into a viral clip.
During a White House gathering with several West African leaders, former President Donald Trump found himself visibly impatient as the meeting began to run over time.
As the leaders passionately discussed their countries’ natural resources, Trump seemed more concerned about staying on schedule.
A Tense Moment Captured on Camera
In a now widely shared video, Trump was caught on camera looking exasperated while listening to Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani talk about his country’s wealth of seawater minerals.
Trump sighed, threw his hands in the air, and finally cut in.
“I appreciate it very much. Maybe we’re going to have to go a little quicker than this,” he said before urging the next speaker to keep it brief: “If I could just ask your name and your country, that would be great, thank you.”
The hand gestures and tone led many of Trump’s supporters online to comment that he seemed to be telling the leaders to “wrap it up.”
Africa’s Resources Take Center Stage
Despite the awkward moment, the meeting was significant.
Trump had invited the leaders of five West African nations—Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau—to Washington, saying he saw “great economic potential in Africa.”
Each leader took the opportunity to highlight their country’s untapped resources—everything from rare earth minerals and uranium to lithium.
They also praised Trump for his efforts in resolving long-standing issues, including a notable nod to his role in mediating tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
From Aid to Trade: Trump’s New Approach
This meeting marked a clear pivot in U.S. policy under Trump.
He made it known that the U.S. would be moving away from what he described as a “charity-based foreign aid model.”
Instead, he emphasized the importance of economic partnerships, especially with countries willing and able to support their own development.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was officially dissolved, with Trump declaring the change a way to eliminate “waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Trade as a Tool for Peace
Trump also pitched trade as more than just economic strategy—it was a diplomatic tool.
“You guys are going to fight, we’re not going to trade,” he told the African leaders.
According to him, this approach has helped prevent conflicts and promote cooperation.
“There is a lot of anger on your continent,” Trump remarked during the meeting, signaling his administration’s intention to use commerce to help bring stability.
Strategic Interests Beyond Resources
Beyond trade and investment, the meeting also touched on issues important to Trump’s administration, such as drug trafficking and migration.
Countries like Senegal and Mauritania play key roles in these areas, serving as both transit points and countries of origin.
While the five nations only make up a small portion of U.S.-Africa trade, their potential was front and center at this meeting.
Trump called them “vibrant places” with “valuable land, great minerals, and wonderful people.”
What Comes Next?
While the meeting may have gone off-script at moments, it underscored the Trump administration’s efforts to redefine America’s relationship with Africa—from dependency to mutual economic opportunity.
Whether this shift leads to meaningful partnerships remains to be seen, but for now, Trump has made it clear: he’s more interested in deals than donations.