President Trump rallied in defense of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial in Brazil’s Supreme Court on charges that he plotted a coup in 2022 after losing the election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“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 wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Trump’s “witch hunt” reference harks back to rhetoric the president has used to characterize investigations into his own alleged misconduct in recent years.
Trump nodded to the similarities in his post Monday.
“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,” Trump wrote.
Trump defended Bolsonaro as “a strong Leader, who truly loved his Country,” and said, “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,” Trump added.
Lula appeared to respond to Trump’s remarks in a post on social platform X.
“The defense of democracy in Brazil is a matter for Brazilians. We are a sovereign country. We do not accept interference or guardianship from anyone. We have solid and independent institutions,” Lula wrote, according to a translation of the statement.
“No one is above the law. Above all, those who attack freedom and the rule of law,” he added.
Bolsonaro and 33 allies are facing trial over an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 presidential election results and remain in power. They were charged with five counts related to the plan.
The former president has denied the allegations; he claims he’s the target of political persecution. He could face up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
The far-right leader is barred from running for office until 2030. Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court ruled last year that he abused his political power and made baseless claims about the country’s electronic voting system.
The Associated Press contributed.
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