PICS: "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL" Meet The Stylish Angolan Reporter Hariana Victória, Trump Couldn't Stop Complimenting

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During a June 27th Oval Office ceremony marking a historic peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, former President Donald Trump made headlines—not for policy, but for a surprising compliment. Addressing Angolan journalist Hariana Verás Victória, a long-time correspondent for Televisão Pública de Angola (TPA), he said: “You are beautiful — and you’re beautiful inside. I wish I had more reporters like you.” Trump quipped that praising her “could be the end of my political career,” acknowledging the awkwardness of the moment.

Who is Hariana Verás Victória?

Born in Malanje, Angola in 1984, Hariana Verás Victória has built a distinguished career in journalism. Starting out at 18 in print media, she later joined TPA and became one of the rare African journalists accredited with a White House hard pass, also covering major events at the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol, and the United Nations. Since 2019, she’s served as TPA’s permanent correspondent in Washington, delivering insights on U.S.-Africa relations and international diplomacy.

A Moment of Substance—and Style

Verás was introduced during the peace agreement signing as the only African reporter covering the White House. She spoke passionately about the optimism sweeping the Congo following the accord and even relayed DRC President Felix Tshisekedi’s intention to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Trump’s comment, delivered in the moments following her poignant words, stood out for its personal tone amid a deeply diplomatic event.

Reactions to the Exchange

Media coverage was swift. Outlets described the interaction as “awkward” yet undeniably headline-grabbing, whilst most Africans showed appreciation for the personal compliment. Nevertheless, Verás handled herself with grace, maintaining focus on the peace message and continuing her professional duties without distraction.

Significance Beyond the Soundbite

This moment underscored Verás’s rising influence: a skilled journalist, respected diplomat, and skilled communicator with a decade of experience covering Africa-U.S. relations. In the process, she highlighted the indispensable role African media professionals play in international discourse—resulting in a suddenly viral—but also deeply meaningful—interaction.

While Trump’s comment may have sparked headlines, the event ultimately spotlighted the talent and presence of Hariana Verás, a respected Angolan journalist whose on-the-ground reporting during a pivotal peace moment reaffirmed both the power of diplomacy and the reach of African journalism on the world stage.

See her images below and follow Her here.