Bolsonaro Seeks Permission for Trump's January 20 Inauguration, Plans Michelle Bolsonaro as Contingency

Jan 13, 2025, 07:38 PM

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been invited to attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. Bolsonaro's defense team has submitted documentation to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to prove the authenticity of the invitation, which was sent via email to his son, Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro. The email, from the domain 't47inaugural.com', is considered by Bolsonaro's lawyers to be a formal invitation, a common practice in U.S. presidential inaugurations. Bolsonaro's passport has been retained by the judiciary since early 2024 as part of ongoing investigations, and he is seeking judicial permission to travel to the U.S. from January 17 to January 22 to attend the ceremony. The decision on Bolsonaro's travel request lies with STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes, who has requested further proof of the invitation. Bolsonaro's allies have expressed concerns that Moraes might deny the request, similar to previous instances where Bolsonaro's travel was not authorized. In anticipation of a possible denial, Bolsonaro has a contingency plan to be represented by his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, at the event.