Brazil: Bolsonaro Eyes Political Comeback with Trump's Help

Above: Jair Bolsonaro arrives at Brasilia airport on Nov. 25, 2024. Image copyright: Ton Molina/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Facts

  • In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Friday, former Brazilian Pres. Jair Bolsonaro said that US Pres.-elect Donald Trump could help him return to power in the next presidential election.

  • Bolsonaro is barred from running for public office until 2030 over alleged attacks on Brazil's voting system. Last week, police accused him of plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 defeat to Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.


The Spin

Right narrative

Bolsonaro and Trump have both been targeted by lawfare — from globalists, the deep state, and the left — in their relative countries, so it would be no surprise if the Republican wields his influence to help his Brazilian ally upon his return to the White House. Freedom and true democracy are about to make a comeback in Brazil.

Left narrative

Embroiled in legal troubles, Bolsonaro has pinned his hopes of running for president again in 2026 on his ideological ally Donald Trump, threatening Brazil with punitive measures in order to get his ineligibility reversed. While the Trump card may help Bolsonaro, it's more likely to backfire as Lula moves to de-escalate tensions with the Republican.


Metaculus Prediction


Public figures in this story


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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