Trump II and Brazil: The Need for Global Resistance

Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, Andes Program Director, WOLA – Washington Office on Latin America and Camila Asano, Executive Director, Conectas Human Rights

Originally published in portuguese in Folha de S. Paulo

This Monday, with the inauguration of Donald Trump, a new chapter in world history begins, in which, more than ever, the bonds of solidarity between human rights defenders in Brazil and the United States need to be strengthened. The good news is that both countries have a vibrant range of civil society organizations that have shown resilience in defending democratic values.

During part of Trump’s first administration, Jair Bolsonaro was the president of Brazil, and the two nations advanced similar anti-democratic political platforms. Key shared values included denying the climate crisis and COVID-19, promoting Christian nationalism, attacking multilateralism, and pursuing anti-gender and anti-reproductive rights agendas. This rhetoric, along with resulting policies and actions, had a devastating impact on socio-environmental protections, as well as the rights of women, LGBTQI+ communities, Black people, Indigenous peoples, and impoverished populations.

The aggressive style of both authoritarian populists included attacking critical voices, minorities, and journalists—especially women journalists. Both discredited their countries’ electoral systems without evidence and spread misinformation. As a result, the U.S. Capitol was invaded on January 6, 2021, and the seats of the Three Branches of Government in Brasília were attacked on January 8, 2023. Democracy and human rights were severely threatened in both nations.

In this second Trump administration, the scenario in Brazil is different. Lula da Silva is president, and the prior anti-democratic alignment has been replaced by a relationship marked by tensions. The announcement that Elon Musk–owner of X (formerly Twitter) and someone who has clashed with Brazil’s judiciary–will join the U.S. administration, adds to Mark Zuckerberg’s recent announcement about ending Meta’s fact-checking program and modifying moderation rules. Moreover, Brazilian far-right groups maintain deep ties with U.S. politicians as part of a global ultraconservative alliance that distorts freedom of speech rights to justify attacks and incite violence against minorities and democracy itself.

Regulating digital platforms must be central to President Lula’s domestic and diplomatic agenda if Brazil aims to stand as a global defender of democracy.

The beginning of Trump II, marked by a preference for rampant misinformation and denial of science, history, and facts, has profound implications for humanity’s present and future, including the climate crisis. Core struggles for human dignity, such as fighting inequality and racism, are severely hindered in a harmful informational environment. Brazil’s international leadership, whether in bilateral relations, COP 30 in Belém, or forums like the UN and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), will need to be even more forceful. Once again, policies and measures adopted in Brazil must align with human rights to confront Trump’s announced offensive against trans people, reproductive rights, and the promise of mass deportations, which could even affect Brazilian nationals living in the U.S.

American society will face significant challenges as the Trump administration begins its agenda of reversing rights and civil liberties, alongside a foreign policy heavily influenced by Christian nationalism and contempt for democratic values. Resistance efforts by communities, social movements, and organizations in various parts of the world—including Brazil—are numerous and must contribute. The scenario unfolding from January 20 onward is extremely challenging, with profound impacts on the U.S. and the global human rights agenda.