Bolsonaro flees to Florida as Trump calls Brazil election a disgrace
Defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro fled to Miami after the election, as former US President Donald Trump condemned the vote as a 'disgrace' and declined to recognize the victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Flavio Bolsonaro fled Brazil and landed in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday after losing a run-off election for Brazil's president to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro left Brazil under cover of darkness, crossing into Argentina and then flying to the United States. This followed a Supreme Court order requiring him to surrender his regular and diplomatic passports. The defeated candidate is under investigation in Brazil for alleged corruption and money laundering, with his parliamentary immunity expiring soon.
Bolsonaro arrived in the United States and declared himself Brazil's rightful leader despite losing Sunday's run-off. He stated he is the elected president and accused electoral fraud of establishing a tyranny, later revising his claim to leader rather than president. He vowed to lead the opposition from Florida. His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, fled to Florida after losing his re-election bid in 2022 and is currently under house arrest in Brazil.
Trump's sharp election criticism
US President Donald Trump described Brazil's presidential election as disgraceful and declined to confirm recognition of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's victory. Trump called the election a disgrace and a great embarrassment on Thursday. He declined to say whether he recognised Lula's victory over Bolsonaro.
Trump said he had refrained from taking sides after being asked by Lula, but his latest comments were sharper than his Wednesday remarks calling the election very strange. He claimed there was a discrepancy in the election and cited market performance as evidence. Trump made his remarks while travelling to a campaign event ahead of the US midterm elections. His administration has strong links to Jair Bolsonaro.
US facilitation of Flavio Bolsonaro's escape
The US government assisted Flavio Bolsonaro's departure and granted him visas. The US Department of Homeland Security stated the Bolsonaro family was inspected and cleared under immigration laws upon arrival in the US. The US State Department confirmed Bolsonaro and his immediate family were granted visas to enter the United States.
Election aftermath and market reaction
Lula da Silva won the election with 51.8% of the vote on Sunday, 27 October 2026. The result triggered immediate financial turbulence. The Brazilian real dropped 12 percent against the dollar in spot trading after the election. The Brazilian stock market also dropped following the victory.
Brazil's Liberal Party said it was accepting the outcome of the election. The Supreme Court dispelled rumors of a search warrant for Bolsonaro's home. The extradition treaty between Brazil and the US is unclear regarding Bolsonaro's potential extradition. Bolsonaro left Brazil despite the passport surrender order, and he maintains the allegations against him are a politically motivated witch-hunt. He vows to lead the opposition from his new base in Florida.
