In the Brazilian political landscape, a striking parallel is emerging between the latest developments surrounding US President Donald Trump and the enthusiastic response of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters. Following Trump’s strong return to the political scene, Bolsonaro’s support base sees this event as a sign of hope for their own political futures, unequivocal about their ambitions for the 2026 election.
Dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics,” Bolsonaro has hailed his American counterpart’s victory through videos and posts in which he draws parallels between their respective trajectories. He expresses his hope that Trump’s return to power can inspire Brazil “to accomplish our mission.” The relationship between the two men goes beyond mere admiration, as they have both built complex political legacies marked by legal and personal challenges, assassination attempts and indictments, while promoting the involvement of their families in leading political roles.
Our focus then turns to Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, who is a key player in this political strategy. He has forged close ties with influential conservatives in the United States, including Trump advisor Steve Bannon and American Conservative Union President Matt Schlapp. These meetings have allowed Bolsonaro to draw inspiration from American political tactics, thereby strengthening his own position.
This strategic alliance has borne fruit, with Brazilian parliamentarians traveling to the United States for meetings with figures such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and George Santos. Exchanges and meetings are multiplying, including conservative summits at the United Nations and discussions at the Organization of American States. These interactions are helping to strengthen the transatlantic conservative axis between the two countries, forming a far-reaching international political web.
Bolsonaro’s rise to power is not limited to fiery speeches, but is accompanied by a desire to strengthen the political infrastructure of the conservative movement in Brazil. The establishment of CPAC Brasil, inspired by the American Conservative Political Action Conference, as well as the creation of the Conservative-Liberal Institute illustrate this desire to perpetuate conservative influence in the country.
However, in parallel with this political rise, questions are emerging about the respect for democratic institutions by Bolsonaro and his supporters. Like Trump, Bolsonaro has fueled doubts about the integrity of the Brazilian elections, fueling tensions that reached their peak in the January 8 assault on the Brazilian Supreme Court, Congress and presidential offices.
This escalation of the confrontation with Brazilian judicial institutions reflects the events that occurred during the storming of the Capitol on January 6 in the United States, highlighting the challenges facing democracy in both countries.
Beyond political affinities, it is essential to step back and vigilantly analyze the developments underway, in order to grasp the democratic issues raised by these political rapprochements between Brazil and the United States.
This new political-media configuration underlines the importance of rigorous and independent investigative journalism to enlighten citizens on the democratic issues and international influences that shape the current political landscape.