Trump Urges Brazil to Halt Prosecution of Former President Bolsonaro: A Political Showdown
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Brazilian authorities to cease their prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president, labeling it a "WITCH HUNT." Bolsonaro, who served from 2019 to 2022, is currently facing trial for allegedly attempting a coup against the sitting president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has firmly denied any involvement in such activities.
In a recent social media post, Trump asserted that Bolsonaro is "not guilty of anything, except having fought for THE PEOPLE," urging prosecutors to "LEAVE BOLSONARO ALONE!" In response, President Lula emphasized Brazil’s sovereignty, stating that the nation "won’t accept interference or instruction from anyone." He added, "No one is above the law, especially those who threaten freedom and the rule of law," in a post on X.
On his platform, Truth Social, Trump praised Bolsonaro as a "strong leader" who "truly loved his country." He drew parallels between Bolsonaro’s legal troubles and his own experiences with legal challenges during his two presidential terms, commenting, "This is nothing more than an attack on a Political Opponent—something I know much about! It happened to me, times 10."
Bolsonaro expressed gratitude for Trump’s support, terming the case against him as "clear political persecution" in a social media update. Minister of Institutional Affairs Gleisi Hoffmann responded to Trump’s remarks, stating, "The time when Brazil was subservient to the U.S. was during Bolsonaro’s presidency." She added that the U.S. president should focus on his own issues and respect Brazil’s sovereignty and judiciary.
This exchange unfolds as President Lula hosts representatives from China, Russia, and other nations at the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro. Earlier, Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on countries aligned with what he described as the bloc’s "anti-American" policies.
During their overlapping presidencies, Trump and Bolsonaro maintained a cordial relationship, meeting at the White House in 2019. Both leaders have faced electoral defeats and have yet to publicly acknowledge their losses. Following Lula’s inauguration in January 2023, Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília, an event that federal investigators have characterized as an attempted coup. At the time, Bolsonaro was in the United States and has consistently denied any connection to the rioters.
Bolsonaro is currently barred from holding public office until 2030 due to false claims regarding vulnerabilities in Brazil’s voting system. However, he has expressed intentions to contest this ban and run for a second term in 2026. In his first court appearance last month, the 70-year-old described a coup as an "abominable thing." If convicted, he could face decades in prison.
This ongoing saga underscores the complex political dynamics between the U.S. and Brazil, as well as the challenges both leaders face in navigating their respective political landscapes.
