Former President Donald Trump announced his endorsement Tuesday of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ahead of that nation’s 2022 presidential election.
“He fights hard for, and loves, the people of Brazil — Just like I do for the people of the United States,” said Trump in a statement. “Brazil is lucky to have a man such as Jair Bolsonaro working for them. He is a great President and will never let the people of his great country down!”
Trump’s endorsement comes amid political backlash in Brazil over Bolsonaro’s purported response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to The Hill, a Brazilian Senate committee recommended Bolsonaro face criminal charges following a report by a congressional committee that he promoted unproven COVID treatments while giving the cold shoulder to vaccine manufacturer Pfizer.
Bolsonaro called the report nothing more than “fantasies,” while denying any wrongdoing.
