Brazil’s 2026 Elections Feature Parody Candidates
The upcoming general elections in Brazil on October 4th will see a plethora of “joke” or “parody” candidates participating, including characters like “Samurai Taxi Driver,” “Plínio Trump,” “Mick Jagger,” and “Henrique Barack Obama.” This quirky tradition is part of a broader Brazilian electoral culture.
With nearly 159 million voters expected to participate, they’ll cast votes for a variety of positions including the president, regional governors, and members of Congress. As of August, over 20,500 candidates had officially registered across six different races, with 13 individuals vying for the presidency, according to the Brazilian Senate.
Brazil has a long history—stretching back eight decades—of featuring candidates who run under humorous or protest-style names. This year’s elections are no different, showcasing colorful figures. For example, “Mick Jagger,” not to be confused with the famous musician, and “Tsunami Grandmother,” are just a couple of the parody candidates standing for election on Sunday.
Brazil’s electoral laws permit these “joke” candidates to run, given they align themselves with a registered political party and fulfill all necessary requirements for candidacy.
One particularly interesting candidate, Plínio Trump, whose real name is Plínio Vicentin Junior, is a 59-year-old pilot from Minas Gerais. His campaign heavily borrows from former U.S. President Donald Trump and the MAGA ethos. He drives around in an older vehicle decorated with American flags, mimicking Trump’s style and rallying supporters with a version of the slogan, “Make Brazil Great Again.”
Vicentin Junior mentioned that his nickname emerged prior to his political ambitions, stemming from a 2015 comment in a WhatsApp group chat where fellow pilots noted his resemblance to Trump.
“Trump is likeable, iconic,” he told the Associated Press, sharing that his experiences while campaigning have mostly been positive, with people smiling and approaching him rather than mocking.
Another unique candidate is Severino Cardoso Sobrinho, a taxi driver known for his martial arts skills, who gained fame on social media in 2021 for his performances. At around 60 years old, Cardoso Sobrinho, who embraces his nickname “Samurai Taxi Driver,” is also running for Congress.
In the presidential race, incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking a fourth term, while other candidates are attempting to unseat him. For example, Célio José Morais, a current city councilor, is parodying Lula as he runs for Congress, claiming to be “good” unlike the president. He aligns with the Liberal Party, which is tied to former conservative President Jair Bolsonaro.
Morais admitted to using his resemblance to Lula for his campaign but insists that his values sharply contrast with what he describes as the “hell” of Lula’s socialism. His campaign slogan humorously highlights his qualities, contrasting them with Lula’s history.
Another colorful candidate, Cláudio Henrique dos Anjos, uses the moniker “Henrique Barack Obama” as he runs for Senate in the Federal District. Though he bears little resemblance to the former U.S. president, his campaign aims for a playful imitation of Obama’s demeanor.
Interestingly, one of the most successful parody candidates in Brazilian history is Francisco Everardo Oliveira Silva, aka “Tiririca.” Known for his comedy background, he leveraged his reputation to gain a congressional seat in 2010 with humorous slogans like “It can’t get any worse.” Now, as he seeks reelection, he continues to incorporate comedy into his campaign, even parodying the character He-Man from a classic 1980s cartoon.
With such a dynamic mix of serious and comical candidates, it’s clear that the Brazilian electorate still has an appreciation for the absurd in politics, making 2026 an election year to watch.
