Rallying Cry in Brazil: Hard-Right ‘Trump of the Tropics’ Backers Fired Up to ‘Finish What We Started’
The recent US election has stirred political movements across the globe, including in Brazil, where supporters of the self-proclaimed ‘Trump of the Tropics’ are feeling emboldened to advance their agenda. The controversial leader, Jair Bolsonaro, has drawn comparisons to former US President Donald Trump due to his populist rhetoric and policies. Bolsonaro’s rise to power in Brazil mirrors Trump’s ascent in the United States, with both leaders appealing to disaffected segments of the population and leveraging social media to promote their messages.
Bolsonaro’s hardcore right-wing supporters, often referred to as the ‘Bolsonaristas,’ have closely monitored the events surrounding the US election, seeing it as an opportunity to advance their own political objectives. Many of these individuals view Trump as a beacon of hope for right-wing movements worldwide, and they have closely aligned themselves with his administration’s policies on issues such as immigration, trade, and climate change.
The similarities between Bolsonaro and Trump go beyond their shared brand of right-wing populism. Both leaders have adopted a combative approach towards the media, labeling unfavorable coverage as fake news and seeking to undermine journalistic institutions that they view as biased. This tactic has been particularly effective in rallying their respective bases and generating support from segments of the population that feel marginalized or neglected by traditional political elites.
In Brazil, the echoes of Trump’s rhetoric are especially resonant among Bolsonaro’s most fervent supporters. These individuals have embraced a nationalist and anti-establishment worldview that rejects globalism and multiculturalism in favor of a more homogeneous and traditional society. Bolsonaro’s promises to crack down on crime, restore law and order, and protect Brazilian sovereignty resonate strongly with this segment of the population, many of whom feel that mainstream political parties have failed to address their concerns.
The affinity between the ‘Trump of the Tropics’ and his American counterpart has not gone unnoticed by political observers in Brazil or abroad. Some have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of a global resurgence of right-wing populism, warning that leaders like Bolsonaro and Trump could undermine democratic norms and institutions in their respective countries. Others, however, see these movements as a necessary corrective to what they perceive as an out-of-touch and elitist political establishment.
As the US election continues to reverberate around the world, it is clear that leaders like Bolsonaro and Trump have tapped into a vein of discontent and disillusionment that cuts across national boundaries. Whether this brand of populism represents a temporary phenomenon or a more enduring shift in global politics remains to be seen. In the meantime, supporters of the ‘Trump of the Tropics’ in Brazil are increasingly emboldened to fulfill what they see as their mission to shake up the status quo and assert their vision for the future of their country.