Brazil's Lula warns Trump against meddling in 2026 election

During a G7 event in France, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva told U.S. President Donald Trump that Brazil will not tolerate any foreign interference in its upcoming 2026 presidential election. Lula defended Brazil’s electronic voting system, noting that results are known within hours, and challenged Trump to bring an electronic ballot to see how the process works.

The exchange follows Trump’s recent criticism of Brazil’s political climate as “dangerous” and his expressions of sympathy for the Bolsonaro family. Tensions have risen over U.S. designations of Brazilian groups as terrorist organizations and imposed tariffs on Brazilian products. Lula’s remarks highlight Brazil’s emphasis on sovereignty and the credibility of its electoral system amid the broader strain in U.S.–Brazil relations.