But Trump, on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, told reporters he would approve a U.S. visa for Bolsonaro, who had slipped into Argentina after Sunday’s election.
Bolsonaro, a senator and son of former president Jair, had refused to hand over his passports when a Supreme Court order demanded it, prompting him to flee Brazil.
Trump, who has long touted Jair Bolsonaro as a victim of judicial persecution, said the election was strange and that the market had suffered.
He also hinted at upcoming meetings with Putin, Zelenskiy, Xi and a planned visit to Manila for an ASEAN summit, underscoring his diplomatic agenda.
The U.S. State Department confirmed it would process the visa for Bolsonaro and his family, allowing them to travel to America soon; the move comes amid heightened scrutiny of Brazil's political turmoil.
With U.S. mid‑term elections looming, the decision adds another layer of complexity to Washington’s foreign‑policy narrative.