Oct 29, 2018

Trump tweets congratulations to Brazil's far-right president-elect

President Trump tweeted Monday that he had "a very good conversation" with Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's far-right president-elect.

"Had a very good conversation with the newly elected President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, who won his race by a substantial margin. We agreed that Brazil and the United States will work closely together on Trade, Military and everything else! Excellent call, wished him congrats!"

Why it matters: The populist Bolsonaro has drawn comparisons to Trump for his outlandish and often offensive rhetoric — with his sizable election victory signaling a sharp rebuke of Brazil's establishment. Many fear Bolsonaro's pledge to purge the country of corruption and crime will result in an extrajudicial crackdown and an erosion of democratic norms.

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