Flavio Bolsonaro, a former senator and son of ex‑president Jair, is under a federal inquiry for alleged money laundering and tax evasion. The investigation stemmed from accusations that he used a sports‑betting company to funnel fraudulent deductions, and from claims that he accepted millions from a disgraced banker. The case is overseen by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, whom Bolsonaro has accused of being a Lula ally.
On May 29, 2026, Bolsonaro was defeated by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who secured 64.2 million votes versus Bolsonaro’s 59.9 million, a margin of 4.3 percent. The election, the first in Brazil not to favor a conservative candidate in the region, sparked protests and accusations of irregularities from Bolsonaro’s camp.
Following the results, Bolsonaro received a court order to surrender his regular and diplomatic passports on Monday, a day after the loss. He has yet to comply, and the order is still pending; his family reportedly has not left Brazil, though the State Department said they will be issued visas.
Bolsonaro’s ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump have been a recurring theme; he visited the White House in May and Trump’s administration reportedly gave him tacit support during the campaign. His brother, Eduardo, a Texas resident, was convicted in absentia for illegally lobbying the Trump administration and faces a new arrest warrant.
The U.S. visas will allow the Bolsonaro family entry into the United States, but their arrival depends on their travel plans and the outcome of Brazil’s ongoing investigations. If they depart immediately, they could arrive in Washington by the end of the week, where they will likely face questioning by the Department of Justice on their alleged financial misconduct.