US President Donald Trump has hailed Brazilian presidential contender Flavio Bolsonaro's first-round electoral performance as a "great victory," following Sunday's nationwide vote that sent the race into a high-stakes runoff against leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
"It's a great victory! Incredible, in fact," Trump wrote on social media, praising the conservative senator's performance.
Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, finished first in Sunday's contest with approximately 47 percent of the vote, while Lula secured around 45 percent, according to the final results.
Because neither contender secured the absolute majority of more than 50 percent of valid votes required for an outright win, the two front-runners will face each other in a head-to-head second-round runoff on October 25.
Political and personal ties
Trump has maintained close political and personal ties with the Bolsonaro family, having hosted Flavio Bolsonaro at the White House in May while the Brazilian lawmaker pursued his presidential bid.
Both figures have consistently advocated for closer bilateral relations between Washington and Brasilia, with Bolsonaro positioning himself as a key partner of the US president throughout his election campaign.
Trump's public endorsement comes as both the Bolsonaro and Lula campaigns launch intensive preparations for the October 25 showdown, with each camp actively courting voters who backed third-party candidates during the opening round.
The Brazilian election continues to draw extensive international attention, setting up a sharply polarised contest between the two leading political figures.
Trump has long supported the Bolsonaro movement whilst frequently criticising Lula's administration over its diplomatic and economic stances toward the United States.
