Lula warns Trump against meddling in Brazil's election

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has publicly warned U.S. President Donald Trump not to interfere in Brazil’s upcoming presidential election, following critical remarks Trump made about Brazil’s political and judicial systems. The exchange occurred on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, as both leaders attended the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, highlighting escalating tensions between the two nations.

Lula issued his warning during a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, after a journalist read him Trump’s comments. The Brazilian president stated that while Trump is entitled to his political preferences, he must respect Brazil’s sovereignty. Lula said Trump can continue liking the Bolsonaro family, but he should not meddle in Brazil’s elections, which are Brazil’s business alone.

Trump’s remarks, made earlier at the summit, described Brazil as having become “a little dangerous politically” and criticized a recent Brazilian Supreme Court ruling. He referenced the arrest of “Bolsonaro junior, who was doing well in the polls,” an apparent conflation of two brothers. On Tuesday, the court convicted former lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, a son of former President Jair...