Flavio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian senator and candidate for president, had a private meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. This comes about a month after Trump met with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bolsonaro’s rival in the upcoming elections.
During the meeting, which lasted over an hour, Trump was accompanied by Senator Bolsonaro, his younger brother Eduardo Bolsonaro, and journalist Paulo Figueiredo.
Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, is currently under strict house arrest. He was sentenced to 27 years for what were described as “crimes against democracy.” The senator is gearing up for the presidential race in October 2026, having announced his candidacy in December, shortly after his father’s imprisonment and disqualification from politics until 2060.
After the meeting, Sen. Bolsonaro addressed reporters and mentioned that the primary focus of his discussion with Trump was to urge the U.S. to label two dangerous Brazilian gangs—Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho—as foreign terrorist organizations. He emphasized that these groups have extensive operations across various countries, which he believes directly impact the U.S.
“Whereas Lula came to the White House to advocate for drug traffickers, I came here to do the opposite. I want to eliminate these terrorist organizations without delay,” Senator Bolsonaro remarked. He asserted that these gangs exert control over Brazil, impose their own laws, and engage in violent retribution against those who oppose them.
The potential designation of the gangs as terrorist organizations was reportedly opposed by Lula’s government prior to the April meeting with Trump. Officials worried it could lead to U.S. sanctions on Brazilian banks linked to the gangs, as well as possible military actions on Brazilian soil. Bolsonaro noted that Trump said he would consider the request regarding the gangs’ designation.
Additionally, Sen. Bolsonaro spoke to Trump about tariffs and the issue of rare earth minerals. He expressed strong intent to have Brazil join the Shield of the Americas initiative for regional security if he wins the presidency in 2027, aiming to build a broad alliance against organized crime and terrorism.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, who was present at the meeting, shared that Trump initiated the conversation by inquiring about the health of their father, Jair, who has faced various health issues and was granted house arrest in March after serious pneumonia.
Eduardo has been in the U.S. since 2025, seeking political asylum following a campaign against him led by a Brazilian Supreme Court judge.
“It was tough to track the exact meeting length, but it exceeded expectations. Trump has numerous concerns to juggle, like his dealings with Iran and issues in Cuba and Venezuela,” Eduardo remarked.
Critics from Lula’s camp have labeled the meeting between Trump and Sen. Bolsonaro as a diversionary tactic, suggesting it was used to overshadow a recent scandal involving the senator and a former banker. Meanwhile, a biographical film about Jair Bolsonaro’s political journey is reportedly in the works, starring actor Jim Caviezel.
