LAGOS, Nigeria — Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has described U.S. President Donald Trump as a “petty-minded dictator,” accusing him of fostering hate rhetoric and enabling a rise in extrajudicial killings and discrimination during his administration.
In an interview with the BBC, the 91-year-old playwright criticised Trump’s treatment of minorities and his approach to power, recalling that he had long warned of the consequences of Trump’s presidency.
“I said, ‘When that man comes to power, the first thing he will do is cancel even the green cards,’” Soyinka told the broadcaster.
“This is a petty-minded dictator; you see how he deals with his objects of hate. We saw that dark side of the American side.”
He added that Trump’s rhetoric and policies deepened divisions and inspired acts of violence.
“There were more killings — extrajudicial killings — by the police of black people, of minorities, during the campaign, and on account of hate rhetoric, the hate rhetoric of this individual,” Soyinka said.
Soyinka recounted his decision to destroy his U.S. green card after Trump’s initial election victory in 2016, saying it was an act of protest and self-respect.
“I said I’m not going to wait to be told to come for a reinterview or simply told, ‘Get out! The green card is cancelled!’ That’s all,” he said.
“People failed to understand. Even though I said it, people failed to accept it. I said I don’t like to be kicked out; I like to kick myself out — it’s more dignified.”
He reiterated that his decision stemmed from a belief that Trump’s administration would target immigrants and minority communities.
Soyinka said that following Trump’s re-election in 2024, he received an unexpected letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notifying him of an audit of his tax filings covering five previous years.
“After he took office, I got a letter from the IRS telling me to report for an audit. The coincidence for me was very impressive,” he said.
“I went to the embassy to say this is the letter I just received from the Internal Revenue Service. My green card is no longer usable. I don’t want to be advertised as a tax dodger owing the United States money and being chased all over the world.”
Soyinka said he complied with the audit process, which he viewed as an unusual development given the timing.
Last month, U.S. authorities reportedly revoked Soyinka’s non-immigrant visa after his application for renewal coincided with the tax audit notice.
The move has drawn criticism from academics and human rights advocates, who have described it as politically motivated.
