Trump on Lula's victory: "It seemed to me like another rigged election"

Donald Trump criticized the recent Brazilian elections, calling them "rigged" and expressing concerns about their legitimacy. He maintained a neutral stance during the campaign, despite favoring right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Following Lula's victory, Trump remarked that the election's image was poor for the world and suggested it appeared corrupt. Bolsonaro initially refused to accept the election results but later reversed his decision. Trump's administration has been accused of attempting to influence Brazilian politics to support Bolsonaro, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen U.S. influence in Latin America. Despite Lula's win, Trump continues to support conservative leaders across the region, asserting that their successes are linked to his policies.