Former President Donald Trump and far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have lots in common. The two men have both repeatedly demonized the press, used militant nationalist rhetoric to invigorate their voters, and they've each spread mountains of disinformation regarding the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that's killed millions worldwide. Both Trump and Bolsonaro were Presidents of countries with some of the highest COVID-19 cases and death rates.
Bolsonaro may now face charges for his response to COVID-19, if Brazil's Prosecutor-General heeds Tuesday's recommendation from a subcommittee in the Brazilian Senate. The committee formally recommended criminal charges against Bolsonaro for everything from wrongful use of funds to crimes against humanity for the country's 600,000+ COVID deaths.
The Brazilian President has denied any wrongdoing and has continued to spread deadly disinformation. On the very same day the Senate committee recommended criminal charges against him, Facebook removed a livestream video of Bolsonaro after he falsely claimed the lifesaving vaccines give people AIDS.
Amid Bolsonaro's shameless doubling down on disinformation and potential exposure to criminal charges, former President Donald Trump issued a full-throated endorsement supporting Bolsonaro's reelection in 2022.
Trump wrote:
"President Jair Bolsonaro and I have become great friends over the past few years. He fights hard for, and loves, the people of Brazil—Just like I do for the people of the United States. Brazil is lucky to have a man such as Jair Bolsonaro working for them. He is a great President and will never let the people of his great country down!"
Given the pair's similarities, people weren't a bit surprised
People doubted Trump's endorsement would help Bolsonaro's candidacy.
What we won't know til next year is whether or not Bolsonaro—unlike Trump—will accept the results of Brazil's election if he loses.
