Flávio Bolsonaro: 59 Million Votes Won, Yet Exile Chosen
The defeated Brazilian candidate claims his departure was solo, despite facing federal probes and a 4 million vote loss to Lula.
By Petra Murphy ·
Flávio Bolsonaro won 59 million votes in the October 25 presidential election, a substantial total that still fell short of his opponent by more than 4 million votes. Despite this strong showing, the 45-year-old former member of congress has left Brazil, moving to the United States where he addressed a political gala on Thursday night. His exit follows a defeat to the leftwing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a result that has reshaped the country's political landscape.
Bolsonaro told the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference event in Mar-a-Lago that his loss was not the end for Brazil. He urged supporters to maintain their faith, stating, "No one shuts the door that he opens." The event, described as a gathering of visionaries, also featured a scheduled speech by former British prime minister Liz Truss. Bolsonaro's presence marks his first major public appearance since fleeing the country earlier in the week.
In his first interview since the election, Bolsonaro rejected reports that he received assistance from Trump adviser Jason Miller or Argentine aide Santiago Caputo. He told the New York Times, "It was all me," claiming he had received help from absolutely no one in his departure. This assertion contradicts earlier media reports detailing the logistics of his move to the United States.
The politician faces federal police investigations in Brazil for money laundering and corruption. He has stated he will take the full account of his departure to the grave. As a member of congress for more than two decades, he currently enjoys parliamentary immunity. That protection is set to expire early next year when his term ends, which would open the path for possible prosecution.
Brazilian analysts suggest the decision to leave the country has weakened his political position. Thomas Traumann, a commentator for GloboNews, described the move as foolish, arguing that Bolsonaro threw away the opportunity to lead the opposition from within. Traumann noted that while the family remains a force, the leadership vacuum has been created by his absence.
The Bolsonaro family faces legal and political challenges across multiple fronts. His brother Eduardo, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the US since last year, faces a four-year sentence for coercion if he returns. Their father, Jair Bolsonaro, serves a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup and is under house arrest. He is banned from running for office until 2060. Four other relatives, including brothers Carlos and Jair Renan and stepmother Michelle Bolsonaro, won seats in congress in the recent elections.
Political scientist Sérgio Abranches told O Globo that the movement bearing the family's name is mortally wounded due to its mistakes and crimes. He argued that democratic rightwing politicians now have an opening to break with the Bolsonaros before the 2030 presidential election. Flávio Bolsonaro told the New York Times he would obviously be a candidate in future elections but that his future lay in the US at least for now.
Eduardo Bolsonaro settled in Southlake, Texas, but may move after the state elected Democrat Gina Hinojosa as governor in this week's midterms. In a video posted on social media, Eduardo said he is 100% legal and likened their situation to a woman fleeing Iran. The precise location of Flávio Bolsonaro’s residence remains unclear, though he was granted a US visa by President Trump.
