Bolsonaro Meets with Trump Amid Presidential Bid Troubles in Brazil

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has shared a photo of himself meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. The image shows Flavio standing by Trump’s side in the Oval Office, accompanied by a thumbs-up emoji. Flavio is the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence.

Flavio has replaced his father as the standard-bearer of Brazil’s political right and is seen as a top contender in the country’s upcoming presidential election. However, his campaign has faced challenges following a report that he sought funds from a disgraced banker convicted of fraud to finance a film about his father. Flavio has acknowledged requesting the money but denies any impropriety or wrongdoing.

According to reports, Flavio travelled to Washington without a guaranteed appointment in an effort to meet with Trump. The US president had previously placed tariffs on Brazil as part of a bid to have the case against Jair Bolsonaro thrown out. Media outlets have stated that Flavio met with Trump at the White House, although details about the meeting are not publicly available.

Recent polls suggest that Flavio’s campaign has been impacted by the scandal, with his opponent, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, regaining the lead in some polls. The two leaders have reportedly built a more cordial relationship in recent months, with Lula visiting Trump at the White House earlier this month.

Source: Al Jazeera