Matt Gaetz has come to the defense of Brazilian lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, claiming that the Brazilian government is targeting him in retaliation for an interview on One America News Network (OANN).
Eduardo Bolsonaro–the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who is accused of plotting a coup after losing Brazil's 2022 presidential election–revealed that Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes has requested the seizure of his passport. Bolsonaro claims the move is part of a political crackdown on opposition figures by the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
"This is an outrage," Gaetz responded, going on to suggest Bolsonaro is facing retaliation specifically because of his appearance on Gaetz's OANN talk show. "This is a violation of human rights."
"Free speech is a threat for dictators," Bolsonaro replied to Gaetz. "What the Brazilian regime is doing now is trying to seize my passport... to avoid me doing interviews like yours at @OANN."
Free speech is a threat for dictators
— Eduardo Bolsonaro🇧🇷 (@BolsonaroSP) March 2, 2025
What Brazilian regime is doing now is trying to seize the my passport, the future Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, to avoid me to do interviews like yours at @OANN
Thank you very much for your support, Matthttps://t.co/gaRAEn0rp3 pic.twitter.com/JMuLJqYeJm
Bolsonaro argues that Brazilian authorities are attempting to silence him for speaking out against censorship and political persecution. An avid supporter of President Donald Trump, Bolsonaro tagged the president and top members of his administration in his X post, looking for allies against what he describes as tyranny.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny on Brazil's judicial actions under Minister Alexandre de Moraes, who has been at the center of legal battles against Bolsonaro. Eduardo Bolsonaro has been accused of colluding with American politicians to undermine the Brazilian judiciary, with critics arguing his frequent U.S. visits are part of a broader effort to pressure Brazil's legal system.
The U.S. State Department has previously criticized Brazilian judicial decisions for allegedly curbing free speech, particularly regarding Moraes' orders to block access to social media platforms like X and Rumble for non-compliance with Brazilian law.
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