The key facts

  • Trump called the treatment of Bolsonaro 'outrageous' and allowed him to stay in the US
  • Bolsonaro is in the US on discretionary parole until October 2027
  • Marco Rubio said Washington was not involved in arranging the departure

Trump's statement at Mar-a-Lago

US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters at a Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Saturday, said that the defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro may stay in the United States 'for as long as he wants.' According to him, he has no plans to meet with Bolsonaro, who arrived in Miami last week: 'There are no plans to meet, but in my opinion he has been treated outrageously. Very outrageously. So he can stay here as long as he wants.' Asked whether he had spoken with Bolsonaro, Trump did not answer directly, but again voiced his support for him, adding: 'In my opinion, the election was a disgrace.' (Anadolu).

Context: departure despite a court order

Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, lost the runoff election last week to the incumbent head of state, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. After that, he left Brazil despite a court order to surrender his passports as part of investigations into alleged money laundering and financial violations. Brazilian authorities are examining the circumstances of his departure and whether foreign officials helped arrange the trip.

Status of stay and Washington's position

According to Brazilian media citing US Customs and Border Protection records, Bolsonaro entered the country on discretionary parole — a temporary permit allowing him to remain in the United States until October 2027; it does not grant permanent immigration status. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that Washington was not directly involved in arranging Bolsonaro's departure from Brazil. Trump's statements came amid diplomatic tension between Washington and Brasilia: Brazilian officials are seeking clarification on the circumstances of Bolsonaro's arrival in the United States. Meanwhile, international observers recognized the validity of the results of the Brazilian presidential election — which contradicts Trump's assessment, who called the election 'a disgrace.'