U.S. to Issue Visas to Flávio Bolsonaro and Family

The United States will issue visas to Brazilian senator Flávio Bolsonaro and his family, the State Department confirmed on October 27. President Donald Trump said he would approve Bolsonaro’s arrival, calling the Brazilian election “really strange” while saying he had not taken sides in the contest.

Trump Offers U.S. Haven to Bolsonaro After Election Loss

The Trump administration will grant visas to Brazilian senator Flávio Bolsonaro and his family after he left Brazil following his defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Trump said he would approve Bolsonaro’s arrival and called the election “really strange,” despite saying he had not picked sides.

Bolsonaro lost the runoff and has refused to concede. His departure came even though the Supreme Court had directed him to surrender his passport. He is also the subject of a money-laundering probe and denies the allegations.

Trump’s decision offers a welcome to a political ally whose family has drawn his support, while his comments question the legitimacy of Brazil’s election process. The senator’s father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, was ousted in 2023 and is now jailed; Trump has described the elder Bolsonaro as having faced judicial persecution.

The State Department confirmed the visas, and U.S. government sources said Flávio Bolsonaro had arrived in the country. The episode places Washington’s willingness to host a defeated foreign candidate alongside Trump’s public criticism of the election that produced Lula’s fourth term.

U.S. Welcomes Bolsonaro Family After Brazil Election Dispute

The United States will issue visas to Brazilian senator Flávio Bolsonaro and his family, a decision that offers refuge to a political figure whose departure followed a court order to surrender his passport. Trump said he would approve the visas and called the election “really strange,” while saying he had not taken sides.

Bolsonaro lost the runoff to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and has refused to concede. He is the subject of a money-laundering probe, which he denies. A Supreme Court order required him to hand in his passport before he left Brazil.

Trump has criticized the treatment of Bolsonaro’s father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was ousted in 2023 and is jailed. His welcome to the senator and his family reflects a willingness to stand by a political ally amid a bitter election dispute.

The State Department confirmed that visas would be issued, and U.S. government sources said Flávio Bolsonaro had arrived in the United States. Trump said he thought the process leading to Lula’s victory was terrible, even as he said the end result was fine.