Brazil’s King of Controversy

April 7th, 2025

Sahana Srikanth

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has a pretty iconic personal motto: "The truth will set you free." Iconic, because Bolsonaro’s actions haven’t reflected this motto at all.

Truth is certainly not the hallmark of Bolsonaro’s long political career. For years, Bolsonaro’s reputation has been marred by false information and persistent criticism, his decisions reflecting corruption and scandal time and time again. Unsurprisingly, reporters have referred to him as Brazil’s “King of Controversy” with increased scrutiny emerging from each of his actions.

Many of these controversies escalated in 2022, when Jair Bolsonaro began openly disseminating political misinformation. He baselessly claimed that Brazil's elections were rigged, electronic voting machines were incorrect, and polls showing him losing were false. However, he himself has acknowledged that these claims haven’t been proved. Indeed, Brazil’s top electoral authority confirms that Brazil’s voting system has been tested rigorously, rendering Bolsonaro’s assertions untrue.

As a result, election information that is evidently false has spread widely on social media - with consequences not just for citizens, but for Bolsonaro himself.

In June 2023, Jair Bolsonaro was banned from office until 2030. A majority vote by judges on Brazil’s Superior Court determined that he is unable to stand in the next presidential election given that he abused his power, lied about the nation’s voting system, and continued to spread hatred via his political beliefs. Just a few months earlier, Bolsonaro allegedly attempted to overthrow the election after his defeat - accused of staging a coup to remain in power.

Bolsonaro’s supporters reportedly camped out in front of military installations, urged the military to overturn election results, and instigated violence in the name of politics. Furthermore, just one week after inauguration day, Bolsonaro supporters attacked government buildings in Brazil’s capital - with over 1,400 ending up arrested.

As if this wasn’t enough controversy for Brazil to handle, Bolsonaro was also deeply engaged in political scandals and illicit activity. The Bolsonaro name indeed is deeply associated with fraud and corruption. In 2023, federal police questioned Bolsonaro and 7 associates, accusing them of suspected embezzlement and money laundering. This scheme included expensive gifts from foreign governments, smuggled out of Brazil and sold in the US. “JewelryGate” was exposed to the public in a newspaper highlighting the details of a €3m pair of diamond earrings intended for Bolsonaro’s wife. Regardless of the illegal actions and embezzlement, Bolsonaro has somehow managed to avoid facing jail time. It seems like that may change this year, however.

In February 2025, an announcement was made from Brazil’s attorney general’s office that Jair Bolsonaro would face numerous charges for plotting and attempting a coup. The Supreme Court, if they name Bolsonaro guilty, could impose a sentence of up to 43 years in prison for Bolsonaro’s actions.

In Congress, Bolsonaro supporters are attempting to push legislation granting amnesty to those sentenced, and alter punishments for electoral crimes. Bolsonaro is even seeking international assistance. Now, he is requesting political ally Donald Trump to apply pressure on Brazilian courts to accept unfounded claims that Brazil is under a left-wing dictatorship by Lula da Silva.

All things considered, Bolsonaro’s legacy is bound to be tainted by these allegations - especially if they turn into a conviction. Bolsonaro’s decisions are less about “truth” and more about denial, from false claims of election fraud to political violence against the government. His actions have not only undermined Brazil’s democratic institutions but also fueled a dangerous culture of disinformation and extremism. As the nation watches the legal proceedings unfold, one thing is certain — the truth Bolsonaro once claimed to champion may finally be the very force that holds him accountable.