Defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro declared himself the country’s legitimate president-elect Wednesday, after fleeing to the United States. He also accused President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Brazil’s Supreme Court of orchestrating electoral fraud. US President Donald Trump declined to endorse the claim, saying he would not become involved in Brazil’s political dispute, although he again questioned the election’s integrity.
Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, arrived in Miami on Wednesday morning with his family after traveling through Argentina and Ecuador. His departure followed a Supreme Court order requiring him to surrender his passports in connection with ongoing investigations, including allegations of money laundering. He denies wrongdoing.
The political confrontation follows Sunday’s presidential runoff, in which Lula defeated Bolsonaro by approximately 4.5 million votes. Brazil’s electoral authorities, international observers and Bolsonaro’s own political party have recognized the result.
Bolsonaro claims election was stolen and changes declaration
In an open letter distributed by his political allies, Bolsonaro initially presented himself as Brazil’s legitimate president-elect, alleging that the country’s electoral institutions had deprived him of victory through an illegal intervention in the voting process. He accused Lula and Supreme Court officials of participating in what he described as an electoral coup, without providing evidence to substantiate his allegations.
Shortly afterward, the original letter was deleted and replaced with a revised version in which Bolsonaro described himself as Brazil’s rightful “leader” rather than its elected president.
The senator thanked Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei for facilitating his departure and welcoming him abroad. He also announced his intention to lead Brazil’s opposition from the United States.
The dispute centers partly on a two-hour extension of voting on Sunday, introduced following severe weather and transportation disruptions. Both presidential campaigns had requested the extension, and fewer than 35,000 ballots were cast during the additional period, substantially below Lula’s winning margin.
Bolsonaro maintains that the decision undermined the election’s legitimacy, while Brazil’s electoral court has rejected the allegations.
Trump refuses to intervene but questions Brazilian election
Asked by reporters Wednesday whether he recognized Bolsonaro’s claim to the presidency, Trump avoided endorsing the declaration.
“I’m not going to make a comment about that,” Trump said, confirming that American authorities had authorized Bolsonaro and his family to enter the United States.
“But I won’t get involved. It was a very strange election, that’s for sure,” he added.
Trump also argued that Bolsonaro and his family had been treated unfairly, while insisting that he had not taken sides in Sunday’s presidential contest.
The developments could complicate relations between Washington and Brasília, already affected by disagreements over US involvement in Brazilian politics. Lula has accused the Trump administration of interfering in domestic affairs, an allegation Washington denies.
Bolsonaro’s future legal position also remains uncertain. His Senate term expires in early 2027, while Brazilian authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding his departure and the criminal allegations against him.
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