Bolsonaro’s son begins Brazil presidential bid with Netanyahu, Milei kudos

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing AFP, AP and Reuters, reported that Flavio Bolsonaro formally opened his campaign for Brazil’s presidency at a Liberal Party convention in Sao Paulo on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Bolsonaro, a right-wing politician and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is seeking to challenge President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose Workers Party is expected to confirm his re-election bid at a convention on August 2.

The launch highlighted international backing from prominent right-wing leaders. Argentina’s President Javier Milei attended and spoke in support of Bolsonaro, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a video message congratulating him, according to the report. Al Jazeera said the event drew fewer major Brazilian political figures, with centre-right parties largely remaining at a distance.

Bolsonaro enters the race facing difficult polling against Lula and political headwinds tied to his family’s legacy. The report noted that Jair Bolsonaro, who was not physically present, is serving a 27-year prison sentence over a coup attempt after his 2022 defeat to Lula and appeared at the convention through an AI-generated video.

The campaign is also unfolding amid scrutiny over foreign involvement in Brazilian politics. Al Jazeera reported that Bolsonaro and his allies have been criticized for ties to the administration of US President Donald Trump, which some Brazilians view as outside interference. The article also said Flavio Bolsonaro, like his father, has repeated false claims about Brazil’s election system, raising concerns over whether the legitimacy of the vote could be challenged if he loses.