Trump's influence in Brazil on display as Bolsonaro son advances to runoff against Lula

Trump Administration's Brazil Election Interference May Backfire

The Trump administration has escalated its efforts to influence Brazil's presidential election, backing right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro—son of former President Jair Bolsonaro—against incumbent leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Over the weekend, Bolsonaro advanced to a runoff with Lula. The White House has employed sanctions, tariffs, and narratives to give Bolsonaro an edge, but analysts suggest these tactics may be counterproductive.

Key developments:

• The Trump administration has threatened military action against Brazil
• It classified Brazilian criminal groups as terrorist organizations
• State Department officials were sent to Brazil to delegitimize its election system
• The U.S. Consulate in São Paulo hosted pro-Bolsonaro social media influencers for a private roundtable
• Eduardo Bolsonaro, Flávio's brother, floated the idea that the Trump administration might reject the election outcome if Lula wins

"Brazil did not want the U.S. imposition of this category on these criminal organizations because it opened the door for many ways in which the Trump administration could interfere in Brazilian internal politics," said James Green, a Brown University professor of Portuguese and Brazilian studies.

Lula's approval rating hovers around 50 percent—significantly higher than Trump's at any point in his second term—though the election margin is expected to be close. Voting begins on Sunday.

Trump's Latin America Influence Campaign

The Trump administration has backed conservative allies across Latin America, including in Colombia and Argentina, and orchestrated the kidnapping of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro. The day after Maduro was brought to the U.S. in January, the State Department posted a photo on social media with Trump and the slogan, "This is OUR hemisphere."

In total, seven right-wing candidates have won presidential elections across Latin America in the last 18 months, with Trump publicly backing most of them.

"We're doing very well in South America," Trump said in September. "Lots of people that I got elected."

Bolsonaro's Legal Troubles

Trump was a strong supporter of Jair Bolsonaro, who refused to accept losing Brazil's 2022 elections to Lula. His supporters stormed government buildings in response. Unlike in the U.S., Bolsonaro and his allies were arrested and put on trial for the coup attempt, with investigators uncovering a plot to kill Lula and his running mate.

Trump responded by threatening Brazil with exorbitant tariffs over what he called a "witch hunt" in July 2025. Lula proceeded with Bolsonaro's trial, and the former president was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison.

In May 2026, Lula and Trump had a frosty meeting with no cameras at the White House. As elections neared, Trump dispatched two State Department officials to investigate "electoral integrity," but Brazil denied their visas and accused them of interfering.

Lula used Trump's efforts in his reelection campaign, accusing Flávio Bolsonaro of being "Trump's candidate," and called out Trump at the United Nations General Assembly last month.

Latino Voters Abandon Trump Ahead of Midterms

Two recent polls show that the majority of Latino voters have abandoned President Trump, reaffirming a trend that has been building since he returned to office and began his immigration crackdown.

Polling data:

• NBC News/Telemundo poll: Latinos favor Democrats by 59 percent in the upcoming midterm elections, nearly doubling their support from 2024
• CBS News/YouGov poll: 60 percent of Latino voters prefer Democratic House candidates
• 69 percent of Latino voters disapprove of Trump's performance ahead of the midterms

This comes two years after Trump won 42 percent of the Latino vote, sparking discussion about a new multicultural Republican coalition. That shift has reversed as voters responded negatively to Trump's handling of the economy, the affordability crisis, and his mass deportation campaign.

However, 42 percent of Latinos still hold a negative view of the Democratic Party, which has not fully capitalized on two years of violent arrests, kidnappings, shootings, pepper balls, and killings under Trump's immigration policies.

Right-Wing Commentator Benny Johnson Sued for Defamation

Right-wing commentator Benny Johnson is being sued for defamation by two protesters he labeled "left-wing terrorists" after an ICE facility protest.

Background: On October 3, 2025, Johnson accompanied top Homeland Security officials to an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, where a crowd had gathered in a designated "free speech" zone. Johnson filmed as ICE agents broke up the peaceful protest, shoving and striking attendees until they fell to the ground.

He posted videos to X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Rumble, framing the civilians as "left-wing terrorists" who were "arrested for attacking police officers and ICE officers."

The lawsuit: On Friday, Harvard University data scientist Kyle Frankovich and contracted court reporter Maureen Foody filed a joint lawsuit against Johnson, claiming he knew his portrayals were false but "did not care."

According to the complaint, the duo "sang songs, participated in prayers, held signs, and recorded official activity." Neither was charged with a crime, though they were detained for roughly eight hours and released a half-mile from the jail.

Johnson's content from that day has accumulated millions of views and interactions. In one post viewed 1.7 million times, Johnson claimed he saw "dozens of Democrat domestic terrorists arrested today for VIOLENT ASSAULT on federal law enforcement."

Frankovich told MS NOW he was "shaken" when he saw Johnson's posts and comments from followers that likened him to an antifa leader and attempted to dox him. Some comments included calls to torture, shoot, and kill the arrested protesters.

"You shouldn't get to lie about me," Frankovich said.

Johnson was fired from BuzzFeed in 2014 for plagiarizing multiple blog posts.

Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett Advertised Lobbying Services Before Leaving Office

Texas Representative and former Senate candidate Jasmine Crockett attempted to launch her lobbying career before leaving office, according to reporting from Zeteo.

Crockett, who lost a contentious Democratic primary to state Representative James Talarico, was advertising political consultation services on her merchandise website, the "Clapback Collection." Services listed included:

• Campaign management and strategy
• Communications and public relations
• Government relations and lobbying
• Digital and social media
• Political risk management

The page was taken down after Zeteo reached out to Crockett's office.

"This website is and has always been focused on selling campaign merchandise," a spokesperson said. "The Congresswoman has only advertised it for merchandise and did not build it. She never directed anyone to add the button you are inquiring about."

Drop Site's Ryan Grim wrote on X: "Not waiting until you leave congress to start lobbying is impressive."

Crockett has refused to endorse Talarico, instead sparring with him publicly.

Editor's Picks:

• A New Approach to Public Safety Is Reshaping American Cities
• The Biggest Cases Coming in the Next Supreme Court Term
• Donald Trump, Poet Extraordinaire