Donald Trump Says Defeated Brazilian Candidate Flavio Bolsonaro Can Stay in U.S. Indefinitely

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday, October 31, 2026, that defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro may remain in the United States for as long as he wishes. Speaking to reporters at a Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Mr. Trump also called the Brazilian election a disgrace, even though outside observers described the vote as free and fair.

Investigations And Departure

Mr. Bolsonaro left Brazil after losing the election to leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, despite leading in most opinion polls. His departure followed a ruling by a Brazilian Supreme Court Justice to revoke his passport. Brazilian police considered him a flight risk as he faces a pair of federal money-laundering probes. Mr. Bolsonaro was admitted to the U.S. under humanitarian parole, a status that typically lasts for one year, and has claimed he is the victim of persecution and Brazil's true leader.

Diplomatic Contacts

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on Saturday at the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Atlanta. Mr. Rubio noted that he and Mr. Vieira are expected to meet again next month in France at a G7 Foreign Ministers' summit, where Brazil will attend as an observer. Mr. Rubio also stated that the U.S. government was not directly involved in the moves leading to Mr. Bolsonaro's departure, though media reports indicate White House official Jason Miller helped arrange the journey.

Political Stance

A U.S. official and another person familiar with the matter indicated that Mr. Trump has no current plans to support Mr. Bolsonaro's political ambitions or meet with him. Meanwhile, Mr. Bolsonaro's father, far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, is imprisoned in Brazil for plotting a coup after losing his own re-election bid in 2022, and Mr. Lula previously spent 17 months in jail on corruption charges that were later annulled.

Context

Tight political races and legal disputes often strain diplomatic ties between nations, particularly when high-profile political figures face criminal investigations abroad. Humanitarian parole allows individuals to enter the United States temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit when standard visas are not available.