Brazil’s Supreme Court just kicked off a blockbuster trial that could make or break the legacy of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a man often dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics.”
Reuters reported that the drama unfolding in Brasilia centers on accusations that Bolsonaro plotted a coup after losing his reelection bid, with the trial’s final phase starting on September 2, 2025, under the lead of leftist Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
This case isn’t just a courtroom showdown; it’s a battle for Brazil’s democratic soul, tied to the 2023 storming of key government buildings by Bolsonaro’s supporters, eerily reminiscent of the 2021 U.S. Capitol chaos.
Justice Moraes opened the session by framing it as a defense of national sovereignty. But let’s be real—this as a political witch hunt dressed up as justice.
Bolsonaro himself wasn’t even in court on September 2, 2025, with his lawyers citing health concerns, including persistent hiccups linked to a 2018 stabbing incident.
Senator Damares Alves, a close ally, visited him the day before and lamented, “It’s really an elderly man being tried.” Poor guy—being sick doesn’t make you innocent, but it sure tugs at the heartstrings.
Meanwhile, Justice Moraes isn’t taking chances, ordering vehicle inspections and beefed-up surveillance around Bolsonaro’s home since August 30, 2025, over fears he might bolt.
Police even uncovered a document last month hinting at plans for asylum in Argentina, though his team denies it. Sounds like a spy novel, but in Brazil’s polarized climate, who knows what’s true?
The trial, expected to wrap by September 12, 2025, isn’t just about Bolsonaro—it ropes in high-ranking military officials and could set a precedent for accountability in a nation still haunted by its 1964-1985 dictatorship.
Potential sentences could stack up to over 40 years, though Brazilian law often softens the blow with early releases. Historic? Sure, but some might call it a long-overdue reckoning-or—or just revenge.
Adding fuel to the fire, U.S. President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Bolsonaro, slapping 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods and yanking visas for most of Brazil’s Supreme Court judges.
It’s a clear message: mess with my ally, and you’ll pay. While conservatives might cheer Trump’s loyalty, this kind of meddling in another nation’s judiciary reeks of overreach.
Bolsonaro’s son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, isn’t helping cool things down, having moved to the U.S. in March 2025 to rally support for his dad and even taking credit for Trump’s retaliatory moves.
Now both father and son are under investigation in Brazil for allegedly inviting foreign interference. Loyalty is admirable, but dragging in another country’s politics feels like a dangerous game.
Justice Moraes fired back, accusing a “criminal organization” of trying to bend the court to foreign scrutiny, declaring that Brazil’s sovereignty “cannot be vilified.” Strong words, but when you’ve got tariffs and visa bans raining down, it’s hard not to wonder if this trial is being squeezed by more than just legal arguments.
The trial is being broadcast live, pulling in millions of viewers across Brazil, hungry for every twist and turn.
Yet, protests planned in Brasilia since August 31, 2025, have fizzled, barely drawing a crowd. Maybe the public’s just exhausted—or maybe they’re waiting for the verdict to pick a side.
Inside the political arena, Bolsonaro’s allies aren’t staying quiet, with lawmakers gathering at the Senate on September 2, 2025, to blast the trial as a sham.
Senator Hamilton Mourao called it “political revenge,” and it’s tough not to see why some feel this way when the lead judge, Moraes, is hailed by some as a democratic hero and slammed by others as a partisan enforcer.
Bolsonaro himself isn’t holding back, grumbling, “They want to convict me.” It’s a sentiment that resonates with many who see this as less about justice and more about silencing a populist voice that dared to challenge the establishment. Still, accusations of coup-plotting aren’t exactly small potatoes.
This trial isn’t just about one man; it’s a litmus test for Brazil’s young democracy, still finding its footing after decades of military rule.
If Bolsonaro and his allies are convicted, it could signal that no one is above the law—or it might deepen the divide between those who see the judiciary as a protector versus a persecutor.