A Brazilian Supreme Court justice placed former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest Monday for violating a social media ban – an explosive move that deepens the high-stakes clash between the judiciary and the former leader, who is accused of plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election.
Bolsonaro, 70, is on trial for allegedly attempting to cling to power after losing to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. As part of the proceedings, he is barred from using social media, and others are prohibited from broadcasting his statements.
That order was defied Sunday when allies shared footage of Bolsonaro speaking to his son Flavio during a rally in Rio de Janeiro.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes swiftly condemned the breach, accusing Bolsonaro of trying to “treat the judiciary like a fool” and vowing not to be swayed by “political and economic power.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the case, calling it a politically motivated “witch hunt” and threatening punishing tariffs on Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, in response.
