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Ex-presidents

São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas Courts Ex-President Bolsonaro Ahead of 2026 Election

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas has intensified his displays of loyalty to former President Jair Bolsonaro, posting more than five times as many Bolsonaro-related messages on his social media channels this year compared to 2023. The governor's actions are seen as a bid to win over Bolsonaro's supporters and position himself as the candidate favored by the former president for the 2026 presidential election.

Key Takeaways:

  • As of Wednesday, the number of Bolsonaro-related posts on Mr. Freitas's social media channels was five times higher than in 2023 and more than double the number posted in the same period this year, from January through July 9.
  • Mr. Freitas has shared 35 favorable messages, photos, or videos about the former president as of Wednesday evening, more than triple the number posted in 2023 (11) and exceeding this year's previous total of 24.
  • From January through July 9 alone, he posted 6 such messages in 2023 and 12 in 2024.
  • The governor's allies believe these gestures are aimed at positioning himself as Bolsonaro's chosen candidate for 2026 and dispelling rumors that he might launch a bid for the presidency without Bolsonaro's blessing.
  • Mr. Freitas has amplified anti-Lula and anti-Workers' Party rhetoric, both on stage and online, and has shared photos with Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro and lawmaker Nikolas Ferreira, both of whom have strong social media followings.
  • He has also reposted two videos of Mr. Ferreira criticizing the Lula government and the Workers' Party.
  • With 5.2 million Instagram followers, 3.1 million on X, and 930,000 on Facebook, Mr. Freitas has increased posts this year emphasizing his ties to evangelical voters and his family image, with photos and videos alongside his wife.

Statistics:

  • As of Wednesday, the number of Bolsonaro-related posts on Mr. Freitas's social media channels was 35.
  • The number of Bolsonaro-related posts in 2023 was 11.
  • The number of Bolsonaro-related posts in 2024 was 24.
  • From January through July 9 alone, Mr. Freitas posted 6 such messages in 2023 and 12 in 2024.
  • Mr. Freitas's Instagram followers increased from 4.8 million in 2023 to 5.2 million this year.

Sources:

  • Valor
  • Twitter ( Mr. Freitas's social media channels)
  • X (Mr. Freitas's social media channels)
  • Facebook (Mr. Freitas's social media channels)
  • Mano a Mano podcast
  • Roda Viva (TV Cultura)
  • Valor (interview with Chief of Staff Rui Costa)

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