According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on Thursday, November 6, 2025, Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate, recalled that before the United States President Donald Trump took office, he had expressed concern that immigrants could face harsh treatment.
He explained that he had foreseen a period where policies and actions could affect those living in the country legally, including those who held permanent residency documents.
His earlier warnings were based on the tone and direction he observed during Trump’s political campaign.
Wole Soyinka said that the period of the Trump administration revealed certain underlying tensions that existed within the United States.
He explained that these tensions did not suddenly appear, but the atmosphere made them more visible and harder to ignore.
According to him, the administration created an environment where some people felt encouraged to express hostility and resentment in public spaces.
Wole Soyinka described Trump’s leadership style as one that did not ease national division.
He stated that the actions taken during that government contributed to widening social gaps instead of bridging them.
He pointed to the visible rise in confrontations and public expressions of discrimination as examples of how national unity was weakened rather than strengthened.
The Nobel Laureate highlighted that racial issues in the United States became more pronounced during that period.
He mentioned that there had always been challenges relating to race in the country, but the climate of the Trump years allowed these challenges to take on new intensity.
He observed that many groups felt targeted or vulnerable, especially minorities who already faced long-standing social and economic difficulties.
Wole Soyinka added that communication and leadership style from top political offices often influence how people behave in society.
He noted that when leaders use language that appears dismissive or harsh towards certain groups, it can lead others to adopt similar attitudes in everyday interactions.
He expressed concern that this played a role in increasing tension between communities.
He emphasized that political figures carry a responsibility to calm rising tensions rather than inflame them.
Wole Soyinka stated that leadership should promote understanding, cooperation, and respect among citizens.
He said the period in question did not provide the level of guidance needed to support unity, especially during a time when the nation faced internal conflicts and social challenges.
Wole Soyinka maintained that the effects of that administration did not end when the term finished, as the atmosphere it created still lingers in public behavior and social interactions.
He remarked that rebuilding trust and restoring social balance requires time and continued effort.
He said: “I saw it and I said, listen very carefully, and you can go and check this, I said, ‘When that man comes to power, the first thing he will do is cancel even the green cards.
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