Bolsonaro declares himself the winner of the election - from the USA

Illegal departure after investigation Bolsonaro declares himself election winner - from the USA As of: October 28, 2026 • 10:56 p.m

The Brazilian election loser Flávio Bolsonaro secretly fled to the USA. He is being investigated for corruption and money laundering. Contrary to clear results, he has now declared himself the winner of the election.

After fleeing to the USA, the candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, who was defeated in the presidential election in Brazil, declared himself the winner. "I am the leader of Brazil, and the criminals who stole the election in Brazil are part of a criminal organization that has established a tyranny," Bolsonaro said in a statement published on X on Wednesday. At first he used the phrase “true elected president.”

He will therefore lead the fight for democracy in the South American country from abroad. He wants to prevent Lula from establishing a “dictatorial regime” in Brazil.

The Brazilian election loser Flávio Bolsonaro has fled to the USA despite a travel ban. more

Bolsonaro spoke of alleged “election fraud.” Among other things, he once again criticized the extended opening hours of the polling stations.

The opening hours were extended by two hours at the request of the incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva - due to problems with local transport. Bolsonaro had also called for an extension, but only in certain states where rains and floods had disrupted the election process.

Lula won with around 4.5 million votes. According to an analysis by Insper professor Pedro Burgos, fewer than 35,000 votes were cast in the extra time, or about 0.03 percent of the total votes.

Contrary to Bolsonaro's claims, there is no evidence of systematic election fraud. Brazil has one of the most secure electoral systems in the region.

Bolsonaro is being investigated on allegations of money laundering. more

On the evening of the election, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro announced that he would take legal action. But two days later he left for the USA with his wife and two daughters. The politician left Brazil despite a Supreme Court ban on leaving the country and traveled to the USA via Argentina and Ecuador.

The US State Department had granted the family visas. According to media reports, Bolsonaro wants to apply for asylum in the USA.

The Brazilian police are investigating Bolsonaro, among other things, on suspicion of corruption and money laundering in connection with a film about his imprisoned father. He was sentenced to several years in prison for an attempted coup after his election defeat in 2022.

This topic in the program: The First | daily topics | Oct 28, 2026 | 9:00 p.m