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Dulcinea

(8,775 posts) Thu Jul 10, 2025, 09:11 AM Jul 10

Brazil's Lula Squares Up to Trump

(Time) Donald Trump has often likened efforts to hold him accountable by the media, Democrats, investigators, courts, and others, to a “witch hunt.” But recently he’s begun also using the phrase to defend his foreign buddies.

From Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose corruption trial Trump has urged the end of, to most recently former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whose affinity for and similarities to the U.S. President have earned him the nickname “Trump of the Tropics,” Trump has tried to wield the influence of the U.S. government to keep his friends from facing charges in their own countries.

While Trump has begun issuing “letters” on social media to foreign leaders announcing new tariff rates, he deviated from the script used for other nations so far when he posted a letter to current Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Truth Social on Wednesday.

“I knew and dealt with former President Jair Bolsonaro, and respected him greatly, as did most other Leaders of Countries,” Trump wrote. “The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World during his Term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace. This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/brazil-lula-squares-trump-090230662.html

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Brazil's Lula Squares Up to Trump (Original Post) Dulcinea Jul 10 OP

Lula is a good person and doesn't take tfg's shit UpInArms Jul 10 #1

I hope they execute Bolsonaro on live TV lapfog_1 Jul 10 #2

UpInArms

(53,129 posts)

1. Lula is a good person and doesn't take tfg's shit

Reply to Dulcinea (Original post)

Thu Jul 10, 2025, 09:18 AM

Jul 10

In a post on X, Lula forcefully rebuked Trump’s message, writing: “Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage.”

The Brazilian leader asserted that Brazil’s judicial proceedings “are not subject to any interference or threats that could compromise the independence of national institutions,” that “freedom of expression must not be confused with aggression or violent practices” and all companies “whether domestic or foreign—must comply with Brazilian law in order to operate within our territory,” and that “tariff increases will be addressed in accordance with Brazil's Economic Reciprocity Law,” which states that Brazil can suspend concessions with other countries in trade, investments, and obligations if unilateral measures imposed on Brazil harm its economic competitiveness.

lapfog_1

(31,120 posts)

2. I hope they execute Bolsonaro on live TV

Reply to Dulcinea (Original post)

Thu Jul 10, 2025, 09:33 AM

Jul 10

right over a sign that says "This is what happens to dictators"

I know, they won't do that even if they find him guilty. But many Brazilians did die while he was in power.

Lest we all forget...

A “good criminal is a dead criminal,” Mr. Bolsonaro said on the campaign trail.

The type of draconian approach Mr. Bolsonaro promised has already been employed for months in Rio de Janeiro, his home state, where the military has overseen security operations since February. It has led to a surge in killings by the authorities — and a debate over whether the tactic is working.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/world/americas/bolsonaro-police-kill-criminals.html

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