Since the transition to the current government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), First Lady Rosângela Lula da Silva, known as Janja, has been the target of criticism for excessive exposure, breaches of protocol in official ceremonies, unforeseen performances for its institutional role and, also, controversial public expenses.
Initially seen as a generator of embarrassing events arising from the desire for protagonism, Janja’s behavior gained relevance on Saturday (16) after she insulted billionaire Elon Musk, owner of the X platform (formerly Twitter) and future member of the new administration of the president-elect of the United States. United States, Donald Trump.
During a G20 Social panel, a parallel event to the summit in Rio de Janeiro, Janja defended the regulation of social networks to contain misinformation. When interrupted by a ship’s horn, she joked: “I think it’s Elon Musk”, and added: “I’m not afraid of you, even… Fuck you, Elon Musk!”
The insult generated immediate repercussions, with Musk responding on platform X with laughing emojis and stating: “They are going to lose the next elections”. He also led opposition parliamentarians to officially question the government and control bodies about the diplomatic and financial impacts of events led by Janja.
After a request from the opposition, TCU will investigate expenses with Janjapalooza
Deputies asked the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU) and the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) for investigations into public spending related to the “Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty Culture Festival”, nicknamed Janjapalooza. Before that, Janja’s international travels were the subject of questions.
The TCU opened an investigation, at the request of deputies Sanderson (PL-RS) and Gustavo Gayer (PL-GO), to determine the legality of the expenses with Janjapalooza, at a cost of R$33 million. Parliamentarians allege possible violation of principles such as legality, efficiency and morality, criticizing expenses with artistic fees in the midst of the fiscal crisis. According to Sanderson, “it is not acceptable to use public resources in a questionable way, especially at a time that requires austerity”.
Representative Marcel Van Hattem (Novo-RS) requested the summons of Chancellor Mauro Vieira to explain possible diplomatic impacts of Janja’s speech against Musk. The parliamentarian highlighted that statements by the Brazilian government, even personal ones, can harm strategic cooperation.
Furthermore, motions of repudiation against Janja’s speech were filed by deputies Evair Vieira de Melo (PP-ES) and Zé Trovão (PL-SC). Former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) described the episode as “yet another diplomatic incident” by the Lula government.
Regulation of networks and taxation of the super-rich make Musk a target of the Lula couple
Elon Musk represents a direct antagonist to central issues for Lula and Janja, such as the regulation of digital platforms and the taxation of the super-rich, areas in which the billionaire is a prominent figure. His proximity to conservative politicians and clashes with the Brazilian Judiciary intensify tension with the presidential couple.
In August, platform X was suspended in Brazil by order of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), due to non-compliance with legal measures. During a parallel event to the G20, Janja referred to Moraes as a “great partner” in confronting opponents on social media.
Expert warns of the need for Janja not to confuse his role in the government
Marcus Deois, director of the political consultancy Ética, assesses that Janja immediately realized the excess committed in defending the regulation of social networks with a public attack on Musk. “By insisting on the narrative, she lost sight of the symbolic role she plays as wife of the President of the Republic, treating the international event as an informal conversation between friends. You can’t even mix the seasons,” he said.
Deois observes that, as he does not have a popular mandate nor perform official functions in the government, the role Janja assumes causes discomfort among Lula’s allies and even jealousy among leaders close to the president.
“The first lady has occupied strategic spaces in cultural debates and on issues that are important to the left, but she needs to adjust her speech to build bridges instead of generating conflicts. The episode with Musk invaded a field that only diplomacy can manage”, he noted.
According to behind-the-scenes information, what most irritated those around Lula with Janja’s unfortunate speeches during the G20 was not so much the repercussion of the offense on foreign policy. Although the insult is seen as a potential diplomatic problem, diplomats believe that the impact on relations between the two countries is manageable. The real frustration was the fact that the first lady’s statements overshadowed the final act of the G20 Social, designed to highlight the legacy of the Brazilian presidency of the forum with a focus on combating hunger and inequality.
The internal discomfort was so great that Lula, for the first time, publicly corrected Janja, stating: “We don’t have to curse anyone.” Although he has always defended the First Lady’s active role as an advisor, he needed to act.
In just a few minutes, she insulted Musk without justification, called the man who committed suicide in front of the Supreme Court last week a “stupid” and, in another panel, responded harshly to a woman in the audience who mentioned “Janjapalooza”, correcting -a: “No, daughter, it is a global alliance against hunger and poverty. Let’s see if you can understand the message, okay?”
Janja does not apologize to Musk and still demands office and agenda at Planalto
Despite the latest controversy, involving Musk, Janja did not make any apology or correction, he follows the same stance and even renewed, in an interview with CNN Brasil, his demand for greater structure within the government to perform functions, including the creation of his own cabinet and an institutional agenda.
Public events, with or without Lula, and renovations on the third floor of the Palácio do Planalto to better accommodate her, were insufficient.
In July, Novo deputies requested clarification on Janja and his entourage’s expenses during their participation in the opening of the Paris Olympic Games, in which he represented Lula. The first lady is mentioned in luxurious works and purchases for the headquarters and residence of the Presidency and even in the decision for a new presidential plane.
“After overshadowing the G20 with the extravagance of a festival and clumsiness in his speeches, Janja encourages the government to spend more than R$1.4 billion on a new Aerolula. Do you really want to fight hunger?”, asks senator Eduardo Girão ( Novo-CE).
Expert bets on Janja’s candidacy for federal deputy in 2026
Antônio Flávio Testa, professor of political science, assesses that the latest controversies involving Janja still reflect “her fascination with the status of first lady, although she does not behave as such”. He highlights her posts on social media in an informal tone and attempts to gain visibility in official photos and on visits to areas affected by calamities, such as Rio Grande do Sul.
“By insulting Musk, Janja only reinforced an image that even the government-friendly media tends to despise. With this attitude, the first lady establishes herself as a minor character in comparison to the wives of other world leaders. Janjapalooza’s low impact also undermines its ambitions to reach out internationally. In 2026, she should be a candidate for federal deputy for the PT”, he predicts.
For Testa, the G20 was overshadowed by internal issues, such as the attack by criminals on the Army, the theft of an official car and the lack of unanimous support for the speech about combating hunger. He also considers American President Joe Biden’s visit to the Amazon to be poorly explained in terms of strategic intentions.
Regarding relations with Trump, Testa believes that they will be strained, not only because of Janja’s episode about Musk, but because of the Brazilian Judiciary’s treatment of his critics. “If Trump and his future Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, fulfill their promises, bilateral relations must be profoundly revised”, he concludes.
