Trump’s politics are entirely unconventional. He operates without restraint, saying what he wants to say in the manner he chooses
Oftentimes, our positions on political issues are strong and uncompromising, especially when rooted in ideological principles tied to our identity, faith, or cultural upbringing. This is particularly true when these beliefs are viewed as essential to human life and existence.
In Africa, particularly Nigeria, the factors shaping presidential choices are influenced by the unique challenges of a developing nation. These include assessing candidates’ abilities to address issues such as economic management, infrastructural development, and their track records in leadership. For some, however, decisions are swayed by ethnicity or religious affiliation due to a limited understanding of leadership’s broader responsibilities.
In contrast, in the United States—a highly developed and wealthy nation—the considerations for choosing a president differ significantly. With two major political parties espousing starkly opposing ideologies, elections often divide the country deeply over which candidate is best suited to lead.
The arrival of Donald Trump on the U.S. political stage in 2016 disrupted the nation’s political climate dramatically. Trump evokes extreme emotions from both supporters and detractors, not only within the U.S. but globally. His mere mention on social media often ignites fierce reactions from both sides, reflecting the deeply polarizing nature of his politics.
Trump’s approach to politics is unconventional. He speaks and acts without restraint, often disregarding political correctness and engaging in transactional politics. Personal loyalty is central to his worldview—Trump equates loyalty to himself with loyalty to the nation.
Initially a long-time businessman with ties to the Democratic Party, Trump chose to align with the Republican Party when he entered politics. He resonated with its opposition to “woke” liberal policies, particularly on issues like LGBTQ+ rights, transgender matters, and immigration.
Personally, I did not support Trump during his 2016 campaign and welcomed his loss in 2020. While I align with some of his and the Republican Party’s ideological positions, I strongly oppose his governance style and lack of respect for democratic institutions, especially his behaviours during and after the 2020 election. His actions desecrated democratic norms and encouraged his supporters to do the same.
However, Trump’s potential return to power has made me reconsider my stance. I am increasingly weary of the extreme left-wing ideologies disrupting societal norms. Living in the West, I feel stifled by the constant need to tread carefully to avoid offending others. For example, being compelled to address someone by non-binary pronouns or witnessing policies that allow biological men identifying as women to commit crimes and be incarcerated in women’s prisons, leading to further harm—these trends feel absurd and concerning.
That said, I find Trump’s stance on immigration problematic. His decision to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, introduced during President Obama’s administration, is an example. DACA was a bipartisan initiative to address the plight of undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
DACA recipients—many of whom arrived in the U.S. as toddlers—have lived in the country for over 20 years. They contribute to society by serving in the military and working in various sectors. The program offers protection from deportation, work permits, and a pathway to citizenship. Ending it leaves over 700,000 recipients in limbo. Deporting them is not only unjust but also impractical. How does one deport a person whose only home is the U.S.?
Trump elicits mixed feelings. Some of his supporters refuse to acknowledge his flaws, while others, like me, appreciate certain aspects of his policies but reject others. Ultimately, U.S. citizens elected him, and they bear the consequences of his governance. As for those of us observing from the sidelines, as we say in Nigeria: na siddon look we dey (we are just watching).
By Kayode Adebiyi
Kayode is a Media Executive based in London, England
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