Donald Trump labels Brazilian presidential election as rigged

On October 26, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly questioned the integrity of the Brazilian presidential election, which resulted in a victory for Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Trump described the electoral process as "terrible" and "corrupt," suggesting the election appeared to be "rigged." His comments followed the victory of the center-left candidate Lula, who secured 51.8% of the vote against the 48.2% received by conservative candidate Flavio Bolsonaro.

The U.S. President specifically cited the unprecedented two-hour extension of voting hours as a "very strange" decision that raised suspicions. While Trump stated he did not take sides in the contest and noted that he maintains a positive personal relationship with Lula, he emphasized that such elections should remain indisputable. He framed his criticism within his broader skepticism of electoral procedures, contrasting his lack of direct involvement in Brazil with his duties in the United States.

Lula’s victory marks a significant shift in Brazilian politics, overcoming an initial lead held by Flavio Bolsonaro in the first round. Flavio is the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who served from 2019 to 2022 and is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for his role in an attempted coup. Trump’s remarks come just days before the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for November 3, 2026.