Brazil's Bolsonaro Endorses Son for 2026, Undergoes 'Successful' Surgery
The Spin
Left narrative
Bolsonaro's endorsement of his eldest son defies all political logic and hands Lula a fourth term. Flávio trails Lula by 15 points in opinion polls, lacks party support beyond his own, and his candidacy triggered billions to vanish from markets as investors recognized the move as a desperate dynasty's last gasp. It doesn't help that he is the heir of a jailed coup leader.
Right narrative
Flávio Bolsonaro is the only legitimate opposition to Lula and the Brazilian Supreme Court that imprisoned his father without any crime. If center-right parties want the backing of Bolsonaro supporters, they cannot ignore the judicial abuses that turned Jair Bolsonaro and many other conservatives in Brazil into political prisoners. This isn't the time for amoral pragmatism, but rather to fight a corrupt system.
Narrative C
Some may argue that endorsing his own son is a poor choice given the rejection of their family name and the heavy political baggage Flávio himself carries, but Jair Bolsonaro has previously been right against the odds. When presidential election results come out in October, the former president will face a final test of whether his political instincts remain sharp.
