Former President Donald Trump is getting some credit for helping embattled Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro into a poll-defying strong second-place finish in Sunday’s elections.
With the nation’s media and top pollsters having kicked Bolsonaro to the curb and expecting a wide victory by former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Trump late Saturday hit social media in Brazil with a strong endorsement of his friend and president, who some describe as South America’s Trump.
– Obrigado, meu amigo Trump! Graças ao apoio do povo brasileiro e de nossa determinação em lutar pelos interesses do Brasil, hoje somos respeitados no mundo todo e contamos com o apoio de nações livres e prósperas e não mais de ditaduras socialistas, como no passado. pic.twitter.com/p4gcAcSiIU
— Jair M. Bolsonaro 2️⃣2️⃣ (@jairbolsonaro) October 2, 2022
“To the people of Brazil, you have a great opportunity to reelect a fantastic leader, a fantastic man, one of the great presidents of any country in the world, President Bolsonaro. He’s done an absolutely incredible job with your economy, with your country. He’s respected by everybody all throughout the world. So, I strongly endorse President Bolsonaro. He will be your leader for hopefully a long time. He is taking your country to great heights, and again, your country is now respected because of him all over the world. So, go out and vote for Bolsonaro,” Trump said.
Overnight, Bolsonaro went from a has-been to having a strong chance at reelection. “He did much better than the polls said, and his party even won both houses,” said a Trump associate.
“No doubt, President Donald Trump’s video was the most important international endorsement my father could have received. It went viral instantly. President Trump remains very, very popular in Brazil, and a lot of Brazil expect him back in the White House,” Eduardo Bolsonaro, a federal congressman and son of the president, told Secrets.
The former U.S. president is popular in Brazil, and Bolsonaro moved quickly to spread Trump’s statement before voters hit the polls.
Presidente Trump envia mensagem de apoio a @jairbolsonaro e aos brasileiros. pic.twitter.com/XjYXAaf9iJ
— Eduardo Bolsonaro 22.22?? (@BolsonaroSP) October 2, 2022
On Twitter, Bolsonaro said, “Thank you, my friend Trump! Thanks to the support of the Brazilian people and our determination to fight for Brazil’s interests, today we are respected throughout the world and we count on the support of free and prosperous nations and no longer of socialist dictatorships, as in the past.”
He added, “Let’s keep working for a big, strong and respected Brazil! Brazil above all! God above all!”
Bolsonaro’s political family also sent out the Trump tweet on their accounts before voting booths opened on Sunday.
The Brazilian president beat most polls by double digits, winning 43% of the vote to da Silva’s 48%. Not only was that a shock, but it forced a runoff, which Brazilian pundits claim could be hard for the former president to win.
The country is a conservative hold-out surrounded by liberal and socialist nations.
Trump, Bolsonaro, and their families have been friendly ever since Bolsonaro’s election in 2018.
Trump has an excellent winning percentage in American endorsements, and his approval is now being sought after in international elections. His support for Bolsonaro and the candidate’s surprise turnout will likely boost those requests, said a Trump associate.
“While we are used to candidates in the United States asking for Trump’s endorsement, world leaders continue to seek his support. President Trump remains influential throughout the world, and his endorsement matters. When is the last time any foreign leader asked Bush or Biden for their endorsement?” said the associate.
