SAO PAULO (AP) — Twelve months ago, Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro promoted his family’s ties to U.S. President Donald Trump as a significant political advantage. This week, the senator has traveled to Washington to strengthen that alliance once more as he works to stabilize his faltering presidential campaign following revelations that he accepted millions from a corrupt banking executive.
The senator touched down on Tuesday with no announced public schedule. His political opponent in October’s election, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, held a three-hour session with Trump on May 7. The 80-year-old president is pursuing a fourth non-consecutive term in office.
The Trump administration has remained silent regarding the Bolsonaro controversy.
The former President Jair Bolsonaro’s son has faced intense criticism since May 13, when leaked communications published by The Intercept from a federal police probe revealed he obtained approximately $12 million from Daniel Vorcaro, the former head of the now-closed Banco Master.
Vorcaro faces charges of stealing hundreds of millions from bank clients after persuading them to participate in questionable investment schemes. Federal police in Brazil calculate the institution’s overall fraud at 12 billion reais ($2.3 billion).
Flávio Bolsonaro has rejected all allegations of misconduct and maintains that Vorcaro’s funds were utilized to finance a biographical film about his father. While Bolsonaro is not anticipated to face charges in the matter, the probe remains ongoing.
Opposition figures have launched attacks following the disclosure.
“Anyone getting close to a criminal banker gives a bad sign,” former Minas Gerais Gov. Romeu Zema, a Jair Bolsonaro supporter who is running for the presidency, said on Monday.
The senator’s campaign has experienced turbulence as he hunts for a vice presidential candidate and works to build coalition partnerships. These alliances are crucial for securing additional funding and complimentary television and radio coverage, which depends on each party’s representation in the lower legislative chamber.
Prior to the public emergence of Bolsonaro’s ties to Vorcaro, he already faced limited backing from much of the business sector.
Former Goias Gov. Ronaldo Caiado and Renan Santos, both seeking the presidency, have expressed skepticism about Bolsonaro, while some political figures suggest that former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro should take his place as the presidential nominee.
“Michelle would bring many voters back. She has a good name for herself,” former environment minister and lawmaker Ricardo Salles said in a recent podcast. “She is much softer and that could work.”
Michelle Bolsonaro resides with the former president in Brasilia, where he remains under house arrest following his conviction for attempting a coup. She has stayed quiet about the connection between the senator and the failed banking executive, as well as about potentially launching her own presidential campaign.
“That is none of my business. I have to take care of my husband,” she said last week.
Sen. Marcos Rogerio, among Flávio Bolsonaro’s primary congressional supporters, stated the presidential candidate has been providing appropriate explanations regarding his dealings with Vorcaro.
“Moments like this deserve our attention. He needs to make it all clear. But he has also argued in favor of a congressional inquiry on Banco Master. This thing will not bar his candidacy at all,” Rogério told journalists on Saturday. “We are not going to re-evaluate his bid or choose a different person. The senator’s candidacy is still standing.”
Political analyst Lula Guimaraes, who has advised candidates from various political backgrounds in Brazilian campaigns, indicated the revelations would have been devastating for Bolsonaro had they emerged closer to election day.
The ongoing police investigations may continue to damage his prospects, though voters could set the matter aside when casting ballots, Guimaraes noted.
“As of now, people in Brazil want to know who will win the next World Cup. They want to know whether Neymar will play or not. That alone will make this whole affair less visible for a month,” Guimaraes said. “I don’t think this alone will be deadly for Flávio Bolsonaro, but even the man himself said there’s more about him and Vorcaro to come out. He’d better buckle up.”
