President Donald Trump sparked online mockery after admitting he didn't know "what" the Congo was while blaming its prisoners for illegally entering the U.S. under former President Joe Biden.
Trump's remarks were delivered while meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during broader discussions on global trade and U.S.-European relations, according to the New York Times.
Trump: "People that were in jail for horrible -- you know, they release jails from all over the world and release them. Not just South America. The Congo in Africa. Many many people come from the Congo. I don't know what that is, but they came from the Congo." pic.twitter.com/rGMHLIOlq7
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 17, 2025
During the conversation, the President criticized the Biden administration's immigration policies, claiming that prisons around the world—including those in South America and Africa—are being emptied and their inmates sent to the United States.
While speaking about supposed surges in foreign criminals entering the U.S., Trump stated, "Many, many people come from the Congo. I don't know what that is, but they came from the Congo," prompting immediate ridicule on social media.
Someone should ask him which Congo. I doubt he’s even aware there are two.
— Robb Fergusson 🍁🍁🍁 (@robbfergusson) April 17, 2025
He’s talking about entire countries like they’re mysterious jungle creatures. “I don’t know what that is” he’s describing the Congo like it’s a mythical beast, not a nation of 100 million people.
— Nikos Unity (@nikosunity) April 17, 2025
Critics seized on his confusion about the central African nation—known formally as the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Republic of the Congo—mocking him for his lack of basic geographic knowledge.
Social media users and political commentators roasted Trump with comments like "Get this guy a globe" and questioned his grasp of global affairs.
Someone get this guy a globe.
— Kimberly 🇺🇸 🦅 🏕️ ksuth.bsky.social (@KimberlySuth) April 17, 2025
Fact-checkers and experts also pushed back on his unverified claims that countries like Venezuela and the Congo are deliberately releasing inmates into the U.S.
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