Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva issued a direct warning to former US President Donald Trump on June 17, saying he must not interfere in Brazil’s upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 2026 [1, 2, 3]. Lula spoke after the G7 summit in France, emphasizing Brazil’s sovereignty over the electoral process.

"Don't meddle in the Brazilian elections, because the Brazilian elections are a Brazilian problem, just as American elections are their business, not mine," Lula said [1]. He added Trump could maintain personal or ideological preferences, including his support for the Bolsonaro family, but must respect Brazil’s democratic process. "As far as I’m concerned, he can continue liking Bolsonaro, the father, the son, the grandson. There is no problem with that. It’s his problem. There’s no accounting for taste," Lula said [1].

Lula is seeking a fourth term, having served as president from 2003 to 2011 and winning a third non-consecutive term in 2022 [1, 2]. His main rival is Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is running under the far-right Liberal Party [1, 2, 3, 4]. Trump openly supports the Bolsonaro family and had close ties to Jair Bolsonaro during their presidencies [1, 3, 4].

Tensions between the two camps have intensified after Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted Eduardo Bolsonaro, another Bolsonaro son, of coercion in relation to Jair Bolsonaro’s 2022 election coup trial. Eduardo was sentenced to more than four years in prison [2, 4]. Trump said Brazil had become "dangerous politically" and referenced arrest attempts on "Bolsonaro junior," who he claimed was doing well in the polls [2, 4]. Sources dispute whether Trump meant Eduardo or Flavio Bolsonaro in that comment [2, 4].

There are allegations that Trump sought to influence Brazil’s judiciary and election by supporting Bolsonaro family members [1, 2, 4]. The US under Trump also imposed tariffs on Brazil over trade disputes and judicial actions against Bolsonaro allies [1, 2, 3, 4].

In May 2026, Trump met with Flavio and Eduardo Bolsonaro, reinforcing his close relationship with the family [3, 4].

Brazil’s presidential election will take place in October 2026, when Lula and Bolsonaro face voters in a tightly contested race [1, 2, 4].