Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has found a warm acceptance among conservatives in the United States, particularly as the former politician has touted his relationship with former President Donald Trump in recent years.
Bolsonaro made his debut at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday, speaking to a crowd of Trump supporters about his efforts to promote conservative values in Brazil before he left office in 2022. Despite some awkward pauses stemming from Bolsonaro’s dependence on an interpreter to translate his remarks, the crowd greeted the former Brazilian leader with cheers and applause throughout his address.
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“It’s indispensable for me to tell all of you that my relationship with President Donald Trump was simply exceptional,” Bolsonaro said, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
Bolsonaro, who has become a familiar face among conservative circles and is often dubbed the “Donald Trump of South America” by critics, agreed to appear at the conference earlier this year, marking a huge get for CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp. His presence serves for conservatives to show just how far their political platform has spread beyond the United States.
Bolsonaro has appeared at a number of conservative events in recent months, including an event in February hosted by far-right activist Charlie Kirk. The pair spoke in an auditorium at the Trump hotel located just outside Miami, seeking to draw similarities between conservatives in both countries.
Bolosonaro continued that theme during his CPAC address, comparing his administration’s priorities to those of Republican lawmakers in Congress.
“I always defended freedom. I did not force anyone to be vaccinated in Brazil,” Bolsonaro said. “When we speak of conservatism, what we fight for are basic things,” he added, pointing to his opposition to “gender ideology,” abortion, and gun regulations.
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Bolsonaro’s speech comes just hours before Trump is scheduled to take the same stage and give the keynote address in what is considered to be the most highly anticipated event of the annual conference. Bolsonaro has closely identified himself with Trump, often making claims similar to the former president about election irregularities.
Trump’s appearance marks the end of the three-day conference that featured a number of high-profile conservatives, including two candidates challenging Trump for the GOP nomination.
