Lula Warns Trump Not to Meddle in Brazil's Elections After US President Comments on Bolsonaro Family

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has warned US President Donald Trump not to interfere in Brazil's sovereign electoral process, following Trump's remarks that Brazil has become "politically dangerous" and his mention of the Bolsonaro family.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva after the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, Lula said Trump could personally admire the Bolsonaro family but must respect Brazilian sovereignty. "Do not meddle in Brazil's elections, because Brazil's elections are Brazil's business," Lula stated. He added that Trump "knows little about Brazil" and that if his view of the country comes only through the Bolsonaro family, he "does not know the real Brazil."

Earlier, during his own press conference closing the G7 forum, Trump said he had spent considerable time with Lula and described Brazil as "a little complicated" and "politically dangerous." Trump also referred to what he understood as the conviction of Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, by Brazil's Supreme Federal Court. However, he appeared to confuse Eduardo with his older brother, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, stating that "Bolsonaro Jr." had been arrested because he made a statement in Texas.

The exchange marks the first time Lula and Trump have been in the same venue since the US government announced the possibility of imposing an additional 25% tariff on some Brazilian imports. Lula dismissed the tariff threat as "outrageous," saying Trump still acts "like an emperor." He also noted that he had delivered to the US government a document detailing Brazil's actions against organized crime.

Lula defended Brazil's electronic voting system and democratic processes, suggesting that the "United States could learn from Brazil's calmer, smoother elections." He even offered to bring an electronic ballot box to show Trump how it works. The Brazilian president also confirmed that he did not request a bilateral meeting with Trump while both countries are still negotiating trade issues.