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United States President Donald Trump has publicly defended former Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro following his conviction and sentencing to more than 27 years in prison.
Speaking at the White House, Trump expressed surprise and disappointment over the ruling delivered by Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court.
Calling Bolsonaro ‘an outstanding leader’, Trump said the outcome was ‘a terrible thing for Brazil’ and insisted he had closely followed the proceedings.
He drew a comparison with his own legal challenges, remarking that attempts to undermine him had failed and stressing that he knew Bolsonaro as a good man who had led Brazil effectively.
Bolsonaro received a 27-year and three-month sentence after four of the five Supreme Federal Court justices voted to convict him on charges including plotting a coup d’état, attempting to abolish democratic rule through violence, participating in an armed criminal organisation, aggravated property damage, and destruction of protected heritage sites.
The trial opened on September 2 and concluded this week, with Justices Alexandre de Moraes, Flavio Dino, Carmen Lucia and Cristiano Zanin supporting the conviction while Justice Luiz Fux dissented.
The 70-year-old former president, currently under house arrest, did not attend the final stage of his trial.
He maintains that the case is politically motivated and aimed at blocking his 2026 presidential ambitions, although he is already barred from public office under separate legal decisions.
Bolsonaro has labelled the process a ‘witch hunt’ and plans to appeal before the full 11-member Supreme Federal Court.
The verdict has stirred international debate. While allies like Trump see it as an attack on conservative leadership, pro-democracy groups in Brazil have praised the judiciary for defending constitutional order and the rule of law.
Also Read: Brazil’s Former Leader Bolsonaro Receives Over 27-Year Prison Sentence For Coup Attempt
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