Flávio Bolsonaro Publishes Coup-Backing Letter, Then Changes Self-Description From 'President' to 'Leader of Brazil' - Folha de S.Paulo

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) replaced the phrase "true president" with "leader of Brazil" at the beginning of a coup-backing letter published on his X account on Wednesday (28). At least four versions circulated. The first two, released by allies, described him as the "true president-elect of Brazil," despite his defeat to Lula (PT) on Sunday (25), and featured different coats of arms, one of them outdated, with "Brazil" spelled with a z.

In the latest version, Flávio says he will lead the opposition from the United States, repeats unsubstantiated claims of fraud, criticizes the Supreme Federal Court and thanks Donald Trump and Javier Milei. He arrived in Miami after leaving Brazil via Argentina, following Alexandre de Moraes's order to surrender his passports as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering. The senator denies any wrongdoing. "To be clear, there is no arrest warrant against me because I have committed no crime. What exists is a politically motivated witch hunt," he said.

Lula won by 4.43 million votes. Flávio focuses his letter on the extension of voting hours, but only 34,000 votes, 0.03% of the total, were recorded after 5 p.m. Trump said he would not get involved: "It was a very strange election, for sure." The senator did not say whether he would seek asylum or when he intends to return to Brazil.