Allies of () sought to highlight the praise of the former president, while those of (PT) took to social media to praise the progress in conversations between Brazil and the USA and highlight the defense of sovereignty — which has become one of the main flags of PTism this year.
The dispute over versions mobilized the two political groups this Sunday (26) after the one in Kuala Lumpur, in , to discuss the tariffs imposed by the American.
The (PL-SP) used images of the meeting to point out the Brazilian president’s alleged discomfort with Trump’s praise of the former president.
Eduardo is articulating sanctions against the Brazilian authorities and has become the target of the left and part of the right, criticizing his actions regarding tariffs on Brazilian products. Trade sanctions were a turning point in the Bolsonarists’ actions this year and became the group’s main political vulnerability.
Trump was asked by journalists about Bolsonaro and said he felt bad about what happened to him. He stated that he always liked the former head of the Brazilian Executive. Then, asked if this situation would be addressed in the meeting with , the Republican replied: “It’s none of your business.”
In a post on his profile on , Eduardo stated that there is “an issue on the table that clearly bothers the ex-convict: BOLSONARO.” The text accompanies a video in which the two presidents answer questions from the press this Sunday morning.
Following Eduardo’s publications, Bolsonaro influencers took to social media to say that the Brazilian government has not yet announced progress in negotiations to end tariffs. And the main highlight they sought to give was Trump’s praise for Bolsonaro.
Rio de Janeiro councilor Carlos Bolsonaro (PL) replied to a publication that questions Chancellor Mauro Vieira’s speech about the meeting being “very positive”, but that negotiations will only begin now. “It must be the third meeting and the guys who attack Trump daily are making idiots of themselves to fool other idiots,” he wrote.
Minas Gerais state deputy Bruno Engler (PL) said, in the same tone as Eduardo: “Lula, visibly uncomfortable, hears the support for the captain made by the North American, which he always compares to a witch hunt. This bothers the PT member, who defends the regime with the STF.”
In addition to the left, even a right wing used the episode to say that Eduardo’s actions were benefiting Lula. Allies of the former president already admitted that they saw the PT member benefiting positively from the progress of the negotiations. Their expectation is that at least part of the tariffs should be revised.
Bolsonaro’s former Education Minister Abraham Weintraub, who broke with the clan, mocked: “Trump’s 4D strategy to catch Lula off guard. Trust the banana! Wait another 72 hours!”
The movement of attacks on the federal deputy was anticipated by his allies, who on Saturday night (25) made publications on social media in his defense.
“Eduardo is a silent warrior, who works behind the scenes with loyalty and courage. His mission was never just a mandate, but the defense of an ideal. Unlike many who today work to belittle the great work he did, and continues to do for all of us”, stated federal deputy Mário Frias (PL-RJ).
The leader of the PL in the Chamber, Sóstenes Cavalcante (RJ), classified the meeting between Lula and Trump as “sensational, as it is proven that the tariff was never Eduardo Bolsonaro’s fault but Lula’s”.
The parliamentarian also said he hoped that the Brazilian government would be able to renegotiate the tariffs. “It took so long to act. I hope that even though it’s late it will be resolved,” he added.
Left-wing parliamentarians and the president of the Chamber, Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB), celebrated the meeting between the two heads of state.
“I congratulate Presidents Lula and Donald Trump on today’s important meeting. I am happy to see that dialogue and diplomacy are once again at the center of relations between Brazil and the United States. When leaders choose to talk, history is grateful,” he said.
The meeting between the two heads of state was used as ammunition for the left to highlight Lula’s role in negotiating the surcharges imposed by the US government on Brazilian products.
The senator (PT-PE) highlighted that the conversation had “immediate advances in the trade agenda and in the search for solutions to tariffs and sanctions”. “This is how foreign policy is done — with respect, sovereignty and determination!”, he highlighted in his profile on X.
Federal deputy Ivan Valente (-SP) said that Lula behaved like a statesman in the face of the tariffs imposed by Trump. With this, he said, the president is “recovering good commercial relations between the two countries.” “Lula has acted well since the imposition of sanctions and now, he is reaping the rewards!”, he concluded.
Federal deputy Rodrigo Rollemberg (-DF) wrote online that the meeting between the two was productive and “resulted in the reestablishment of dialogue and partnership between Brazil and the United States, overcoming previous differences orchestrated by traitors to the country.”
Former Justice Minister Tarso Genro (PT) mocked Eduardo and former Jovem Pan commentator Paulo Figueiredo, stating that both will be without passports after the meeting between the two leaders.
