Trump sends letter to Bolsonaro and claims that Brazil lives “ridiculous regime of censorship”

United States President Donald Trump sent a letter to former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), criticizing the Supreme Court (STF) decision that imposed house arrest on the Brazilian former Mandanker. The content was released on the morning of Monday (18) by Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), in posting on network X.

In the message dated July 17 and written on white -house paper, Trump claims to have witnessed what he calls “terrible treatment” against Bolsonaro and classifies the Brazilian judicial system as “unfair.”

“This trial should finish immediately!” Trump wrote. “You were a respected and strong leader who served well to your country.”

The letter also includes direct criticism of the Brazilian government, mentioning concern about what it calls attacks on freedom of expression, which he also claims to be taking place in the US. “I sincerely hope that the Government of Brazil will change its way, stop attacking political opponents and end its ridiculous regime of censorship,” said the Republican, without clarifying the distinctions between the Executive and Judiciary powers

He also did not mention the accusations made to Bolsonaro by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR). According to the PF, Bolsonaro commanded a plot to stay in power after defeat in the 2022 elections, which included the murder of authorities, including Lula and Moraes.

Eduardo Bolsonaro’s publication was accompanied by praise for the US President. “Your support has enormous value, especially moral and emotional,” he wrote. He also stated that the letter was given to him personally, “original and properly signed.”

In the post, Eduardo stressed that Jair Bolsonaro is “in a bizarre house arrest”, without the right to interviews, social networks, cell phone or contact with family members, in reference to the measures imposed by the Supreme Court after the Federal Police identifies attempts to obstruct the ongoing action that investigates the report of attempted coup.

The letter reinforces the bond between Trump and Bolsonaro amid tension between Brazil and the USA. Last week, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said a meeting scheduled with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had been canceled without justification. Shortly thereafter, Eduardo and commentator Paulo Figueredo said they met Bessent and posted a photo of the trio on social networks.

At the end of the week, the US imposed even more sanctions on Brazilian authorities, with the cancellation of the American Wife and Daughter of Health Minister Alexandre Padilha. This Monday, the newspaper The Washington Post He published a long interview with Minister Alexandre de Moraes, in which he said that there is no possibility of retreating a millimeter ”in the trial of those responsible for the plot that, according to the PF, led to the acts of January 8.

J. J. Trump’s full letter: free translation)

The White House
Washington
July 17, 2025
To the honorable Jair Messiah Bolsonaro
38th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Brasilia
Dear Mr. Bolsonaro,
I’ve been following the terrible treatment you are receiving in the hands of an unfair system that has turned against you. This judgment should end immediately! I am not surprised to see him leading in the polls; You were a very respected and strong leader who served well to your country.
I share your commitment to listening to the voice of the people and I am very concerned about the attacks on freedom of expression – both in Brazil and in the United States – promoted by the current government. I strongly expressed my disapproval, both publicly and through our tariff policy.
It is my sincere hope that the Government of Brazil will change its course, stop attacking its political opponents and end its ridiculous censorship regime. I’ll be watching closely.
Yours sincerely,
Donald J. Trump
President of the United States of America