Brazil's President Lula makes middle‑finger gesture at government event

On Friday, July 3, 2026, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a speech at a federal government ceremony in Brasília’s Palácio do Planalto. While speaking, he raised his middle finger toward the audience. Lula used the gesture to underscore his criticism of the stereotype that low‑income Brazilians do not appreciate high‑quality goods and services. He said, “Nós precisamos acabar com essa história de que o pobre não gosta de coisa boa. Aqui para eles,” adding that everyone deserves “comida de primeira, roupa de primeira, viajar de primeira, dentista de primeira, médico de primeira.”

In the same address Lula attacked the tax‑deduction model for private health‑plan expenses, arguing that the cost is ultimately borne by the public system. He also highlighted the Ministry of Health’s “Agora Tem Especialistas” program, which aims to cut waiting times for specialist consultations, exams and procedures in the SUS and to guarantee equal, high‑standard care for all citizens. The ceremony marked the last permissible simultaneous delivery of government actions before the first round of the upcoming elections.