Bolsonaro says he’s requested passport’s return to attend Trump inauguration

Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, officially requested his passport from Minister Alexandre de Moraes on Wednesday so he may attend President-elect Trump’s inauguration later this month.

“Very honored to receive from the President of the USA, @realDonaldTrump , an invitation to his inauguration and that of his Vice President @JDVance , on January 20th,” Bolsonaro wrote in a post on the social platform X.

“I thank my son, Federal Deputy @BolsonaroSP , for the excellent work in this relationship with the family of President Donald J. Trump,” he added.

“My lawyer, Dr. Paulo Bueno, has already forwarded a request to Minister Alexandre de Moraes for me to get my passport back so that I can attend this honorable and important historical event.”

Bolsonaro, frequently referred to as the “Trump of the Tropics,” had his passport revoked after an alleged attempt to overturn the country’s government in a coup following his 2022 electoral loss, encouraging a group to storm the presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court.

In response to his endeavor to oust President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil banned him from seeking reelection in 2026.

Despite the court-issued punishment, Bolsonaro has urged his son to befriend Trump to help him bypass the ruling.

“Trump is back, and it’s a sign we’ll be back, too,” Bolsonaro told The Wall Street Journal in a previous interview.

He said he still plans to launch a presidential campaign, seeking vindication.

“As long as the electoral court doesn’t turn down my registration, it’s valid,” Bolsonaro said. “They can just put it off as long as possible … until the election is over.”