Lula Calls Flávio Bolsonaro a “Jinx” After Trump’s Party Loses in U.S. Midterms

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro “a jinx” during a YouTube livestream on Nov. 5 with Rep. André Janones. Lula mocked Bolsonaro’s arrival in the United States and linked it to the Republican Party’s losses in the midterm elections.

Lula said that while he had been carrying Brazil’s flag during campaign events, Bolsonaro had been kissing the American flag. He added that Bolsonaro had gone to the United States and that President Donald Trump’s party had lost, describing the senator as unlucky.

Bolsonaro lost to Lula in the Oct. 25 presidential runoff. Lula received 51.79% of the valid votes, compared with 48.21% for Bolsonaro, after finishing behind him in the first round. Flávio Bolsonaro’s father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, also lost to Lula in the 2022 presidential election. Flávio arrived in Miami on Oct. 28, after leaving Brazil.

On Nov. 3, Democrats won control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, a political setback for Trump. During the livestream, Lula said Flávio Bolsonaro had gone to the United States seeking protection, but would have to return to Brazil to face legal proceedings. The remarks were Lula’s claims; the livestream account did not detail the cases he referenced.

Lula also raised a dispute involving an island in Angra dos Reis, soccer player Richarlison of Tottenham, and lawyer Willer Tomaz, whom he described as connected to Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula said the matter would be reported, but did not provide further details in the remarks described.

The president again challenged Flávio Bolsonaro to disclose financial information. Lula said his own records, as well as those of his wife, Janja, and family, were available to the courts. He said he was prepared to do whatever was necessary to demonstrate who was honest in Brazil, and called for scrutiny of other people’s accounts as well.