Trump Says Lula Personally Asked Him to Stay Out of Brazil’s Election

US President Donald Trump revealed that Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva personally asked him not to take sides in Brazil’s recent presidential race, and Trump says he honored that request.

US President Donald Trump has said that Brazil’s sitting president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, personally asked him to avoid taking sides in the country’s presidential election. Trump made this comment to reporters in South Carolina.

He quoted Lula’s request directly. “The sitting president (of Brazil) asked me not to interfere. I followed that request,” Trump told journalists.

Trump did not share further details about these contacts between the two leaders. He kept his answer brief and offered no extra context.

A Notable Shift in Tone

This statement marks a shift in tone. Trump had previously shown clear support for former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is the father of Flávio Bolsonaro, who ran against Lula da Silva in the recent election.

That earlier public sympathy made Trump’s neutral stance during the campaign notable. Many observers had expected him to back the Bolsonaro camp more openly.

Lula’s Election Victory

Lula da Silva won the runoff election on October 25, securing 51.79% of the valid votes cast. His win keeps him in power for another term as Brazil’s president.

University of Oklahoma professor Fabio de Sá e Silva believes Brazil will stay committed to strengthening BRICS ties. He also expects the country to keep pushing for a more multipolar world order under Lula’s leadership.

Flávio Bolsonaro’s Confusing Claims

Meanwhile, Lula’s election rival Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in the United States on Wednesday. He traveled there via Argentina and Ecuador rather than flying directly.

Upon arrival, Bolsonaro initially declared himself the legitimately elected head of state. He also announced plans to lead the opposition from abroad while staying outside Brazil.

However, he changed his message later that same day. The updated version of his address to the nation no longer claimed election victory. Instead, Bolsonaro described his position more cautiously, calling himself the “leader of the country.”