Trump Calls Brazil’s Bolsonaro Trial a ‘Witch Hunt’

President Donald Trump has warned the Brazilian government over its treatment of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial over coup allegations.

Trump issued a statement on Monday, defending Bolsonaro, who, along with 33 others, faces trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which he narrowly lost to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The former president has repeatedly denied the allegations and said he is the target of political persecution.

Bolsonaro’s trial began in May, and if convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison. A verdict is expected later this year.

“Brazil is doing a terrible thing in its treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on July 7.

“I have watched, as has the world, as they have done nothing but come after him, day after day, night after night, month after month, year after year!” he wrote. 

“He is not guilty of anything, except having fought for THE PEOPLE,” Trump said, before referring to his interaction with the then-president of Brazil during his first term in the White House.

“I have gotten to know Jair Bolsonaro, and he was a strong leader who truly loved his country — also a very tough negotiator on trade.”

Bolsonaro was president of the South American country from 2019 to 2022. On June 29, he attended a demonstration in the city of São Paulo against his trial in the country’s Supreme Court. 

Bolsonaro is already barred from running for public office until 2030.

In his statement, Trump compared the situation with Bolsonaro to what he experienced when seeking to return as president of the United States.

“This is nothing more, or less, than an attack on a Political Opponent — Something I know much about!”

Trump pointed out that the Brazilian people will not tolerate what is being done to their former president and will be monitoring the situation. “I will be watching very closely the WITCH HUNT of Jair Bolsonaro, his family, and thousands of his supporters,” he said.

“The only trial that should be happening is a trial by the voters of Brazil — it’s called an election. LEAVE BOLSONARO ALONE!”

Brazil’s Minister of Institutional Relations, Gleisi Hoffmann, responded on X that “Donald Trump is seriously mistaken if he thinks he can interfere in the Brazilian judicial process.”

“The time when Brazil submitted to the United States was during Bolsonaro’s administration, who saluted your flag and did not defend national interests. Today, he is answering for the crimes he committed against democracy and the Brazilian electoral process,” she added.

“There can be no talk of persecution when a sovereign country complies with due process of law in a democratic state governed by the rule of law, which Bolsonaro and his coup plotters tried to destroy,” she said, calling for respect for Brazil’s sovereignty and its judiciary.

Bolsonaro thanked Trump for the message of support.

“I thank the distinguished president and friend. You went through something similar. You were mercilessly persecuted, but you won for the good of the United States and dozens of other truly democratic countries,” Bolsonaro said via X.

“We have always defended the interests of our people and the freedom of all,” he said.

Bolsonaro said that the process he is facing “is a legal aberration (Lawfare), a clear political persecution.”

Bolsonaro’s sons also responded to the U.S. president’s statement.

“Thank you, President [Donald Trump]. Always in defense of democracy and freedom of expression!” wrote Flávio Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro’s eldest son and a Brazilian senator, via X.

“Trump is right: it is the Brazilian people who should judge Bolsonaro at the ballot box,” he added.

Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, the third child of the former president, said they have received many calls following Trump’s post. “But we cannot give any more details on the matter,” he said. “What I can say is that this will not be the only news coming from the United States in the near future.” 

With reporting from the Associated Press.