‘I Don’t Govern Brazil, Trump Rules Out Any Intervention in Brazil’s Election Despite Calling the Result ‘Rigged,’ Insists He Gets Along Very Well with Re-Elected President Lula

By Staff Reporter | October 27, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has drawn international attention after questioning Brazil’s presidential election results while insisting that he has no intention of intervening in the country’s political affairs. Despite describing the vote as suspicious, Trump also said he likes Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and gets along with him very well.

The comments came on Monday, October 26, following Lula’s re-election victory over right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil’s presidential runoff. Trump questioned the way the election was conducted and counted, but did not provide evidence to support his suggestion that the result was rigged. Reuters

Speaking to reporters, Trump was asked whether he intended to take action over the alleged election irregularities. His response made clear that he was drawing a distinction between expressing his opinion and directly involving himself in Brazil’s domestic politics.

“I’m not running Brazil. I’m running the USA,” Trump said, according to a transcript of his remarks.

He subsequently reiterated that he had not endorsed either candidate, while adding that he believed the election had created a troubling impression. Trump also questioned the extension of voting hours, describing the decision as strange.

Trump Questions the Election but Praises His Relationship With Lula

Perhaps the most striking part of Trump’s comments was his acknowledgment of his relationship with Lula, despite their political differences.

“I like Lula. I get along with him very well,” Trump told reporters.

The remarks offered a notable contrast: while Trump questioned the credibility of the election, he avoided presenting his comments as a personal dispute with the Brazilian president.

His statements also left an important distinction unresolved. Trump criticized the election’s appearance and administration, but he did not present evidence demonstrating that fraud had changed the outcome.

Lula’s victory was officially reported after Sunday’s runoff, in which he defeated Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The result marked another major political moment for Brazil and drew reactions from governments around the world.

Source: Reuters reporting on Trump’s comments

Why the Extension of Voting Hours Became a Controversial Issue

One of the central issues raised by Trump was Brazil’s decision to extend voting hours on election day.

According to Brazil’s Agência Brasil, the country’s Supreme Court extended voting by two hours, until 7 p.m., following restrictions affecting public transportation in several cities. The decision became a point of criticism among supporters of the defeated candidate.

However, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin rejected Trump’s suggestion that the election looked suspicious. He defended Brazil’s electoral system and argued that foreign leaders should not interfere in the country’s political affairs. Agência Brasil

The controversy has intensified because Flávio Bolsonaro has refused to concede defeat and has called for Lula’s victory to be annulled. Trump’s remarks have therefore added an international dimension to a dispute that began within Brazil’s own political system.

Nevertheless, questioning the election is not the same as establishing that fraud occurred. Trump has not publicly provided evidence to substantiate his allegation.

What This Means for U.S.–Brazil Relations

The latest comments could create fresh diplomatic challenges for Washington and Brasília, particularly as the two countries navigate disagreements over trade and other international issues.

Lula has previously emphasized the importance of respecting each country’s electoral process. Trump’s acknowledgment that he maintains a good relationship with Lula could offer room for continued diplomatic engagement, even as questions about the Brazilian vote remain politically contentious.

For Brazil, the immediate challenge is to maintain confidence in its electoral institutions while managing criticism from political opponents and foreign leaders.

For the United States, Trump’s comments illustrate the delicate balance between expressing concerns about another country’s elections and respecting its sovereignty.

A Message That Has Drawn Global Attention

Trump’s statement that he does not govern Brazil may become the most memorable part of his response, particularly because it came alongside his criticism of the election and his praise for Lula.

His position, as expressed publicly, was that he had not taken sides and did not intend to intervene, even though he believed the election looked suspicious.

Whether the comments will affect relations between the two governments remains to be seen. What is clear is that Lula’s re-election, Flávio Bolsonaro’s refusal to concede, and Trump’s allegations have placed Brazil’s electoral process at the center of an international political discussion.

The key question now is whether the controversy will remain a war of words or develop into a broader diplomatic dispute. For the moment, Trump says he will focus on governing the United States rather than Brazil.

Editorial note: This article reports the statements and political reactions surrounding the election. Trump’s allegation of a rigged vote has not been substantiated by evidence presented in his public remarks.