Flavio Bolsonaro Meets Trump at White House as Brazil Campaign Faces Fresh Scrutiny

May 27, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

A closed-door meeting at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian senator Flavio Bolsonaro has drawn attention in Brazil’s election cycle, coming as the senator confronts political pressure linked to questions over campaign-related dealings.

The encounter took place in the Oval Office on Tuesday without media access. Bolsonaro later briefed journalists in Washington, outlining that Trump had asked about his father, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro said the discussion extended beyond domestic politics to include organised crime, tariffs and strategic interest in rare earths and critical minerals.

The Washington trip comes as Bolsonaro’s presidential ambitions face weakening polling performance against Brazil’s left-leaning incumbent ahead of the October vote.

His campaign has also been affected by controversy surrounding his acknowledgment that he sought financing from a Brazilian banker previously convicted of fraud.