🚨 Trump Goes Nuclear Over Bolsonaro Trial—Demands Brazil Halt ‘Witch Hunt’ or Face 50% Tariffs! 🛑💰🌎

In typical Trumpian fashion, the former president—and current 2024 Republican frontrunner—took to his newly reactivated Truth Social platform on Tuesday morning and fired off a message that instantly lit up

the world stage: “If Brazil continues with this sham trial of Jair Bolsonaro, I will immediately push for 50% tariffs on all Brazilian imports.

This is a disgusting witch hunt against a great man!” While Trump no longer holds office, his political and economic influence remains potent, particularly among hardline Republicans who still dominate much of

Congress—and that’s exactly what has officials in Brasília on edge.

The target of Trump’s fury is the ongoing criminal investigation and trial of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing a barrage of charges including inciting violence, election interference, and abuse

of power.

Bolsonaro, once dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics,” is currently embroiled in legal chaos following the January 8th riots in Brasília, which eerily mirrored the January 6th Capitol insurrection in the U.S.

Investigators allege Bolsonaro played a direct role in fomenting unrest after his election loss in 2022, a claim that could lead to prison time and permanent disqualification from public office.

But Trump isn’t having it.

He’s been vocal in defending Bolsonaro since the beginning of the probe, repeatedly framing it as a “globalist hit job” meant to silence nationalist leaders.

Now, with Bolsonaro’s legal fate hanging in the balance, Trump has escalated his rhetoric into a direct economic threat—one that could have devastating consequences for Brazilian industries that rely heavily on

U.S. trade.

Brazil is the largest exporter of beef, soybeans, iron ore, and sugar to the United States.

A 50% tariff on such goods would hammer Brazilian farmers, miners, and exporters, potentially triggering job losses and inflation in a country already grappling with economic volatility.

Market analysts were quick to react, with São Paulo’s Bovespa stock exchange plunging over 4% within hours of Trump’s statement.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian real dipped sharply against the dollar, as fears of a trade standoff loomed.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded swiftly and sternly, calling Trump’s comments “an outrageous and baseless attack on Brazilian sovereignty and democracy.”

In a televised address, Lula stated, “Brazil will not bow to threats from any foreign leader, past or present.

Our justice system operates independently and will not be bullied into silence.”

His words were met with applause from pro-democracy advocates, but the threat of economic retaliation still casts a long shadow over the nation’s markets and political stability.

Behind the scenes, Brazilian diplomats are scrambling to gauge whether Trump’s threat is merely bluster or the start of a broader pressure campaign.

Although Trump is not currently in office, his allies in Congress—particularly in the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee—could very well begin pushing for preliminary trade

actions, especially as the 2024 campaign heats up and Trump seeks to reassert his dominance on the world stage.

Sources close to Bolsonaro say he is “deeply grateful” for Trump’s support and sees the tariff threat as a turning point in his fight for political survival.

“President Trump is the only global leader standing up for Jair,” said one aide.

“The Brazilian left is trying to erase him from history, just like they tried to do with Trump in America.”

Political experts warn this moment could signal a dangerous precedent: former leaders using economic threats to interfere in foreign judicial proceedings.

“This is unprecedented,” said Dr.

Carla Mendes, an international law professor at the University of Brasília.

“We’ve never seen a former president threaten a trade partner over a criminal case in a foreign court.

It’s a dangerous erosion of norms.”

Back in Washington, reaction has been mixed.

Republican firebrands like Sen.

JD Vance and Rep.

Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed Trump’s outrage, demanding the Biden administration denounce the Bolsonaro trial as politically motivated.

Greene even suggested launching a Congressional inquiry into whether U.S. intelligence agencies have “meddled” in Brazilian politics.

On the other hand, Democrats and many moderates were quick to denounce Trump’s threat as reckless.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “economic terrorism masquerading as diplomacy.”

The Biden White House has so far stayed tight-lipped, issuing a vague statement reiterating the U.S. commitment to the rule of law and the importance of judicial independence abroad.

But privately, sources suggest officials are “alarmed” by Trump’s growing influence over foreign affairs—despite not holding any official office.

This drama is playing out against the backdrop of two high-stakes elections—Trump’s U.S. comeback bid and the potential political resurrection of Bolsonaro, should he escape conviction.

Many now wonder if Trump’s tariff threat is less about defending Bolsonaro and more about testing the waters for how much geopolitical power he still holds—and how willing America’s allies are to push back.

Whether or not Trump’s tariff threat materializes, the damage may already be done.

Markets are jittery.

Diplomatic ties are fraying.

And Brazil’s domestic crisis has suddenly become a global flashpoint in the escalating battle between far-right populism and institutional democracy.

One thing is clear: Trump may be out of office, but he’s far from irrelevant—and his latest international power play has just thrown gasoline on an already smoldering fire.