Trump Offers Open-Ended US Stay for Flaio Bolsonaro Amid Renewed Diplomatic Tensions
Donald Trump says Flavio Bolsonaro can stay in the US indefinitely, calling the Brazilian election a disgrace while diplomatic ties remain strained.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, United States — President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro is welcome to remain in the United States for as long as he chooses, a statement that underscores the continued friction between the two governments.
The remarks were delivered to reporters attending a Halloween event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
He can stay here as long as he wants, Trump said regarding Bolsonaro, who departed Brazil following his defeat by incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, despite leading in recent opinion polls.
Trump further characterized the outcome by stating that the election was a disgrace in his view.
The Brazilian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.
International observers had previously certified the election as free and fair.
Bolsonaro’s departure from Brazil occurred shortly after a Supreme Court justice ordered the revocation of his passport, a move prompted by ongoing federal money-laundering investigations that led police to designate him a flight risk.
According to previous reporting, Bolsonaro was granted entry into the US under humanitarian parole, a status that is typically valid for just one year.
Diplomatic efforts to stabilize relations appeared to be underway when Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira earlier on Saturday.
The conversation took place during a Group of 20 meeting held in Atlanta.
Rubio indicated to journalists that the two officials were expected to meet again in France at next month’s G7 foreign ministers summit, noting that Brazil is anticipated to attend as an observer.
However, sources indicate that Trump has no current intention of supporting Bolsonaro’s political aspirations, even after the former president’s son claimed to be the rightful leader of Brazil.
On Saturday, Trump explicitly stated he had no plans to meet with Bolsonaro.
Rubio clarified that the US government was not directly involved in the logistical moves that facilitated Bolsonaro’s exit from Brazil earlier in the week.
This statement contrasts with reports from Reuters and other outlets suggesting that White House official Jason Miller assisted in arranging the politician’s journey.
The political tension is exacerbated by the personal legal woes of both leadership figures; Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio’s father, is currently imprisoned in Brazil for planning a coup after losing his 2022 re-election bid.
Finally, President Lula spent 17 months in custody in 2018 and 2019 facing corruption charges that were subsequently annulled.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
