President Donald Trump defended former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in a Truth Social post earlier this week, calling for the Brazilian Supreme Court currently trying the president to “LEAVE BOLSONARO ALONE!”
In a lengthy post to his social media platform, Trump called the pending charges against Bolsonaro – which center around an alleged plot to overturn the country’s 2022 election results – a “WITCH HUNT,” claiming they were politically motivated.
“This is nothing more, or less, than an attack on a Political Opponent,” wrote Trump. “Something I know much about!”
Brazil’s former leader has long shared a cozy relationship with President Trump, dating back to Bolsonaro’s election to office during Trump’s first term. The US president strongly endorsed him in his 2022 re-election bid, even as controversy swirled around Bolsonaro’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as defending Bolsonaro’s widely criticized handling of the fires in the Amazon in 2019.
In his statement on Monday, Trump came to Bolsonaro’s defense, writing, “Brazil is doing a terrible thing on their treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro.” Trump added:
Brazil is doing a terrible thing on their treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro. I have watched, as has the World, as they have done nothing but come after him, day after day, night after night, month after month, year after year! He is not guilty of anything, except having fought for THE PEOPLE. I have gotten to know Jair Bolsonaro, and he was a strong Leader, who truly loved his Country — Also, a very tough negotiator on TRADE. His Election was very close and now, he is leading in the Polls. This is nothing more, or less, than an attack on a Political Opponent — Something I know much about! It happened to me, times 10, and now our Country is the “HOTTEST” in the World! The Great People of Brazil will not stand for what they are doing to their former President. I’ll be watching the WITCH HUNT of Jair Bolsonaro, his family, and thousands of his supporters, very closely. The only Trial that should be happening is a Trial by the Voters of Brazil — It’s called an Election. LEAVE BOLSONARO ALONE!
Trump is no stranger to having friendly relations with authoritarian leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un.
