Fact-check analysisVerified as of July 11, 2025Curated by FactVerify
Mostly True

Trump: They're treating President Bolsonaro very unfairly, he's a good man. He's a very honest man and he loved the people of Brazil. I shouldn't like him because he was very tough. I know the honest ones and I know the crooked ones.

Former President Donald Trump publicly defended Jair Bolsonaro, describing him as a good, honest man who loved Brazil and criticizing the treatment Bolsonaro received from Brazilian authorities.

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Source: factverify.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified July 11, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The claim consists of several components: Trump stating that Bolsonaro is being treated unfairly, calling him a good and honest man, acknowledging Bolsonaro's toughness, and contrasting honest versus crooked individuals. Multiple credible sources confirm that Trump has indeed defended Bolsonaro amid legal challenges in Brazil, including allegations of a coup plot. Trump has characterized the prosecution as a 'witch hunt' and expressed support for Bolsonaro's character and leadership.

While the exact quoted phrasing in the claim is not found verbatim in the sources, the sentiment and key assertions align closely with Trump's public statements reported by reputable news outlets. Trump emphasized Bolsonaro's positive qualities and criticized the Brazilian judicial process against him, consistent with the claim's content. The context involves ongoing political tensions in Brazil following Bolsonaro's electoral defeat and subsequent legal scrutiny.

Some sources note that Brazilian President Lula and others have strongly opposed Trump's defense of Bolsonaro, highlighting political divisions. The verdict is 'Mostly True' because while the core factual assertions about Trump's defense and characterization of Bolsonaro are accurate and well-documented, the precise wording of the quote as presented cannot be fully verified from available sources.

Primary trail

Verified Sources5

Trump criticizes Brazil's treatment of Bolsonaro

thehill.com
Open source

Trump says Bolsonaro ‘not guilty of anything’ amid Brazil coup trial

theguardian.com
Open source

Brazil’s Lula Squares Up to Trump After Tariff Hike and Bolsonaro Defense

time.com
Open source
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