Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro “bad luck” during a livestream, linking his arrival in Miami to Republicans’ losses in the U.S. congressional elections. (Foto: Instagram)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro “bad luck” during a YouTube livestream with federal deputy André Janones on Thursday, Nov. 5. Lula mocked Flávio’s arrival in the United States and linked it to the Republican Party’s loss in the U.S. congressional elections.
Lula recalled that he had carried Brazil’s flag during campaign events, while Flávio had kissed the U.S. flag. “My opponent was taking the American flag and kissing it. Then he ran off—bad luck. Trump lost. He got to the United States, and Trump lost,” Lula said.
Flávio lost to Lula in the presidential runoff on Oct. 25. Lula received 51.79% of the valid votes, compared with 48.21% for Flávio, after trailing him in the first round. Flávio’s father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, also lost to Lula in the 2022 presidential election. After the 2026 defeat, Flávio left Brazil and arrived in Miami on Oct. 28.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Democrats gained control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, a political setback for President Donald Trump. Lula said Flávio had gone to the United States seeking protection and would have to return to Brazil to face legal cases. “You’ll see what kind of protection you get. You’ll have to come back to Brazil to deal with the cases against you,” Lula said during the livestream.
Lula also referred to 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. “We will report this,” Lula said.
The president again challenged Flávio to disclose financial information and said his own records, those of his wife Janja, and those of his family were available to the courts. “I’m willing to give my life to prove who is honest in this country. My accounts are there—mine, Janja’s, my family’s, all of them. Open everything up. Now I want to see the others’ accounts. I want to know who is honest in this country,” Lula said.
