Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is counting on the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency to bolster his own political resurgence in Brazil’s 2026 elections. Bolsonaro, who faces legal challenges over an alleged coup plot, expressed confidence in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
“Trump is back, and it’s a sign we’ll be back too,” Bolsonaro said, referring to Trump’s recent electoral victory. The former Brazilian leader, often called the “Tropical Trump” during his presidency from 2019 to 2023, has reportedly been in regular contact with the Republican leader.
Bolsonaro is seeking Trump’s support to influence Brazilian courts. He hopes Trump will pressure judges to delay enforcing a ruling that bans him from running for office until 2030. The ban stems from accusations that Bolsonaro spread false claims about Brazil’s voting system after his loss to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 elections.
Bolsonaro has stayed politically active since leaving office, recently campaigning for the right-wing Liberal Party in Brazil’s October municipal elections. Like Trump, he alleges that his legal troubles are politically motivated.
Brazilian authorities, however, accuse Bolsonaro of far more serious crimes. Police claim he was involved in a 2022 plot to prevent Lula from assuming the presidency and that he knew of an alleged plan to assassinate the incumbent. Bolsonaro is among 37 individuals named as co-conspirators in a police report made public this week.
Brazil’s attorney general is currently reviewing the evidence to decide whether the charges will move forward. Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s hopes for 2026 may rest heavily on Trump’s ability to lend him international support.
A spokesperson for Trump’s incoming administration declined to comment on the matter, according to The Wall Street Journal.
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