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Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, is once again in the political spotlight. Facing serious legal challenges in his home country, Bolsonaro is now turning to his close ally, former U.S. President Donald Trump, for support. He hopes Trump’s influence can help pressure Brazilian authorities to halt what he calls a politically motivated attack against him.
Bolsonaro’s Legal Battle
Bolsonaro has been accused of orchestrating an attempted coup following his loss in the 2022 Brazilian presidential elections to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He is also banned from holding public office until 2030 due to repeated claims of election fraud and attacks on Brazil’s voting system. Despite these setbacks, Bolsonaro remains confident that he can make a comeback—much like his American counterpart, Donald Trump.
In a recent statement, Bolsonaro, 69, shrugged off concerns about his legal troubles, saying, “I am calm… I don’t give a damn about prison.” This bold declaration highlights his defiant stance, even as he faces potential prison time if convicted.
The Trump-Bolsonaro Connection
Bolsonaro’s close relationship with Trump is no secret. The two leaders have often expressed admiration for each other, sharing a similar brand of right-wing populism. Trump has called Bolsonaro a “great gentleman” and a “great friend.” Given Trump’s ability to maintain political relevance despite legal challenges, Bolsonaro sees him as an inspiration and potential savior.
Bolsonaro has publicly stated that he believes Trump will use his influence to intervene in his case. “He won’t accept that certain people around the world persecute their opponents,” Bolsonaro claimed, reinforcing his hope that Trump’s backing could sway U.S. policymakers and international opinions in his favor.
Legal Persecution or Justified Charges?
While Bolsonaro insists that he is a victim of political persecution, legal experts and political analysts see things differently. He is currently awaiting a decision from Brazil’s Supreme Court on whether he will stand trial for allegedly conspiring to overturn the election results. If found guilty, he could face up to 40 years in prison.
Despite these accusations, Bolsonaro remains undeterred. His strategy appears to be modeled after Trump’s—portraying himself as a victim of an unfair justice system and rallying support from conservative allies both domestically and internationally.
U.S. Republicans and Bolsonaro’s Cause
Bolsonaro’s political allies, including his son Eduardo Bolsonaro, have been actively engaging with U.S. Republicans. They are pushing for sanctions against Brazilian officials, particularly Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing many of the legal cases against Bolsonaro.
Justice Moraes has also led a crackdown on misinformation, ordering the suspension of social media accounts accused of spreading hate speech and falsehoods. His actions have put him in direct conflict with Donald Trump’s ally, Elon Musk, who owns the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Moraes temporarily shut down X in Brazil and later suspended Rumble, a conservative-friendly video-sharing platform, for failing to comply with court orders.
The U.S. State Department has criticized Moraes’ actions, calling them “incompatible with democratic values, including freedom of expression.” In response, Brazil’s government has rejected what it sees as foreign interference in its judicial processes.
Bolsonaro’s Path Forward
Despite his legal troubles, Bolsonaro remains hopeful about his political future. He has been actively working behind the scenes to reduce his ban from public office, pushing Congress to shorten the period from 2030 to an earlier date. If successful, he could return to the political arena in time for the 2026 presidential election.
However, political analysts argue that Bolsonaro’s chances of making a full comeback are slim. Lucas Leite, an international relations professor in São Paulo, believes that Bolsonaro “should be much more concerned” than he appears. He notes that Bolsonaro’s only real escape would be through an amnesty granted by Congress, but such a political deal seems unlikely at the moment.
Comparing Trump and Bolsonaro’s Political Journeys
Since Bolsonaro’s rise to power in 2019, he has often been compared to Trump. Dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics,” Bolsonaro has adopted many of Trump’s political tactics, including inflammatory rhetoric, disdain for traditional media, and claims of election fraud.
In recent weeks, Bolsonaro has doubled down on these comparisons. He frequently recalls how both he and Trump survived assassination attempts—Bolsonaro was stabbed during a 2018 campaign rally, while Trump narrowly escaped a gunshot wound in 2024. Additionally, both leaders faced violent uprisings from their supporters following election losses—Trump on January 6, 2021, and Bolsonaro’s followers on January 8, 2023.
Political analyst Guilherme Casaroes explains that Bolsonaro’s rhetoric is meant to rally his base. “Bolsonaro is trying to reinforce this political, nationalist identity, this rhetoric that is very Trumpist and that mobilizes people very strongly,” he said.
Supporters Still Believe in Bolsonaro
Despite his legal troubles, Bolsonaro maintains a strong following among Brazil’s conservative voters. Many believe that, like Trump, Bolsonaro can rise from the ashes and reclaim power.
“Trump returned to power, rose from the ashes like a Phoenix, so I believe that Bolsonaro, even with all this persecution, will also return to power in 2026,” said Silvia Lucia Soares, a 61-year-old Bolsonaro supporter.
While this optimism remains high among his followers, Bolsonaro’s future is far from certain. His ability to return to politics will largely depend on the outcomes of his legal battles and the broader political landscape in Brazil. For now, he continues to rely on Trump’s support, hoping that his powerful ally can help him navigate these turbulent times.
Final Thoughts
As Bolsonaro fights for his political survival, his reliance on Trump underscores the growing influence of right-wing populism across the globe. Whether or not Trump’s backing will translate into real political gains for Bolsonaro remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear—Bolsonaro is not backing down without a fight. His defiance, coupled with his unwavering base, makes him a force to be reckoned with in Brazil’s political landscape.
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