5 hours ago
Last Updated:July 07, 2025, 22:26 IST
Trump supports Bolsonaro, who faces charges for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election. Trump calls it a "witch hunt" and praises Bolsonaro
In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump claimed that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is being unfairly targeted. (Image: AFP/File)
US President Donald Trump expressed his support for Jair Bolsonaro, the former President of Brazil, who is facing charges for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results. Trump slammed the Brazilian government’s treatment of Bolsonaro, calling it a “witch hunt."
In a post on Truth Social, the US President claimed that Bolsonaro is being unfairly targeted, stating, “I’ve been watching, just like the world, as they did nothing but go after him, day after day, night after night, month after month, year after year".
Trump said that Bolsonaro “is not guilty of anything except for fighting the people," which Trump considers a commendable act. Trump has gotten to know Bolsonaro and describes him as a “strong leader" who genuinely loves his country and is a tough negotiator, particularly on trade issues.
Pointing out that Bolsonaro’s election was highly contested, Trump said that, yet he is now leading in the polls. Trump believes this is nothing more than an attack on a political opponent, drawing parallels with his own experiences. “It happened to me, sometimes 10 times, and now our country is the HOTTEST in the world," Trump said.
The US President expressed his confidence in the Brazilian people, stating, “The great people of Brazil will not tolerate what they are doing to their former president". Trump announced that he would closely monitor the situation, referring to it as a “witch hunt" against Bolsonaro, his family, and supporters.
He emphasised that the only legitimate trial for Bolsonaro should be through the democratic process – an election. “Leave Bolsonaro alone!" he demanded.
Bolsonaro is accused of leading a criminal organisation to subvert democracy in Brazil, with plans to assassinate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the current president.
Bolsonaro, who was friendly with Trump when they were both in office, is on trial in Brazil on charges of plotting a coup to stop Lula da Silva from taking office in January 2023.
Last month, Bolsonaro denied that he led an attempt to overthrow the government during his trial before the country’s Supreme Court, but acknowledged taking part in meetings aimed at reversing the outcome.
Bolsonaro said he and senior aides discussed alternatives to accepting the electoral results, including the possibility of deploying military forces and suspending some civil liberties, but he said those proposals were soon dropped.
The charges against Jair Bolsonaro stem from a two-year police investigation into his alleged involvement in an election-denying movement. This movement culminated in violent riots by his supporters in Brasília, just a week after Lula took office as President.
Despite having a good relationship with Trump, Bolsonaro was denied permission to attend the US President’s inauguration ceremony as Brazil’s top court refused to return his passport. The court said Bolsonaro posed a flight risk almost a year since his passport was seized as part of an investigation into his alleged orchestration of a coup attempt to remain in power after elections in 2022.
Bolsonaro is also facing some health complications after a stabbing incident in 2018 during his presidential campaign. He has been experiencing intestinal problems, which led to a 12-hour surgery in April 2025 to remove intestinal adhesions and reconstruct the abdominal wall.
After the surgery, Bolsonaro’s health condition worsened. His health issues are being closely monitored, and he’s facing legal challenges, including allegations of a coup attempt.
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:News world 'Leave Bolsonaro Alone': Trump Defends Ex-Brazil President, Calls Charges Against Him 'Witch Hunt'
