Bolsonarists and Trumpists Join Forces and Fabricate a Scandal against Lula and Biden

Bolsonarists and Trumpists are joining efforts to fabricate a scandal targeting President Lula, former U.S. President Joe Biden, and the 2022 election.

Without evidence, they claim that USAID, a federal agency under President Donald Trump’s scrutiny, funded Lula’s victory over Bolsonaro.

Founded in 1961, USAID provides financial aid to nations, such as implementing health programs and disaster relief.

In his new term, Trump has accused the agency of fraud and promoted an aggressive dismantling, with mass layoffs.

The offensive against USAID soon reached Brazilian soil, stemming from a conversation between ideologue Steve Bannon, Trump’s former advisor, and Mike Benz, who presents himself on X as a former State Department official.

In the conversation this month, Benz claimed that the agency spent "tens of thousands of dollars" funding projects that pressured for the approval of anti-disinformation laws in the Brazilian Congress. He also said USAID funded lawyers who worked with the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) to suppress Bolsonaro’s tweets and messages on apps.

However, Benz provided no evidence to support his claims. The Fake News Bill was buried in Congress, and there are no indications that USAID funded lawyers in Brazil.