Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said he supports President Trump’s efforts to win a second term.
Bolsonaro, who has been dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics,” said on Tuesday that “God willing” he would be able to attend Trump’s January inauguration if the Republican incumbent were to win reelection against Joe Biden, Politico reported. Bolsonaro said he would not “interfere” in the Nov. 3 election but, through a translator, added that his hope “is from the heart.”
Election Day is two weeks away.
The Brazilian leader made the remarks after the signing of a new trade agreement in Brazil that featured both Brazilian and U.S. officials, including White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had a better relationship with Brazil than we have today,” O’Brien said.
Trump and Bolsonaro have enjoyed a cozy relationship since the latter was elected on a conservative-populist platform in 2018. Trump has hosted Bolsonaro at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and has urged NATO to strengthen ties with Brazil. The two also share the distinction of both testing positive for COVID-19 before eventually recovering.
Other world leaders who have endorsed Trump’s reelection include Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who said in February that Trump “deserves” to be reelected, and Hungary’s authoritarian leader Viktor Orban, who said in September he is “rooting” for Trump.
