Lesotho’s foreign minister expressed shock and disappointment on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that “nobody has ever heard of” the African nation. In response, he invited Trump to visit the country.

During his address to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, Trump criticized foreign spending, labeling certain expenditures as "appalling waste."

"Eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho, which nobody has ever heard of," Trump remarked, eliciting laughter from members of Congress.

Lesotho’s foreign minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, described the comment as “deeply insulting.”

“I am truly shocked that my country could be referenced in such a manner by a head of state,” he told Reuters.

Lesotho, a landlocked nation surrounded by South Africa, is home to about 2 million people. Known as “The Kingdom in the Sky,” it boasts the highest average altitude of any country.

“Lesotho holds great significance and uniqueness in the world. I would be delighted to invite President Trump, as well as the global community, to visit our country,” Mpotjoane added.

He acknowledged that while some U.S.-funded civil society organizations support LGBTQ+ initiatives in Lesotho, American aid also plays a crucial role in the country's health and agriculture sectors.

Under Trump’s "America First" policy, his administration has cut billions of dollars in foreign aid.

Mpotjoane admitted that these cuts have significantly impacted Lesotho’s healthcare system, which had long relied on such funding. However, he emphasized that the government is working toward greater self-sufficiency.

“The president has the right to make decisions regarding foreign aid, and we must respect that,” Mpotjoane said. “But to speak about my country in this way is truly regrettable.”