Donald Trump contests Lula’s victory in Brazil’s elections without evidence / It seemed to me that it was another rigged election

United States President Donald Trump questioned the outcome of Brazil’s presidential election on Monday, without presenting evidence. The election was won on Sunday by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Trump said the vote “seemed like another rigged election” and that elections should leave no room for doubt.

“I didn’t take anyone’s side, but it seemed to me that it was another rigged election. Elections must leave no room for doubt, and it seemed to me that things looked very bad,” Trump said.

Lula received 51.8% of the vote, while his opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, received 48.2%. Trump’s ally refused to accept defeat and called for the result to be annulled. As of Monday morning, the American president had not publicly acknowledged Lula’s reelection.

The left-wing leader’s victory limits the Trump administration’s efforts to expand its influence in Latin America. Brazil is the most populous country and the largest economy in the region, while Lula promotes a policy of non-alignment, close trade relations with China, and strengthening the role of BRICS.