---
title: "Trump calls Bolsonaro's election performance a 'great victory'"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-calls-bolsonaros-election-performance-a-great-victory"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/trump-calls-bolsonaros-election-performance-a-great-victory"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-calls-bolsonaros-election-performance-a-great-victory.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/trump-calls-bolsonaros-election-performance-a-great-victory"
category: "Politics"
published: "2026-10-05T22:46:13.594Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-05T22:07:39.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-05T23:15:19.052Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 45
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-05T23:42:22.577Z"
---

# Trump calls Bolsonaro's election performance a 'great victory'

*US president predicts a close second round in Brazil's presidential election.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to named bodies, but no documents or independent outlets cited.
- Craft 45 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is clear and holds together, but lacks quotes from affected parties or comment on future events.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong adjectives like 'Great Victory' and 'Triumph' which are not fully supported by the body.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Donald Trump called Flávio Bolsonaro's first-round performance in the Brazilian presidential election a 'great victory'.
- Flávio Bolsonaro advanced to the second round with 47.03% of the vote, while Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received 45.16%.
- Trump predicted the second round would be 'very close' or 'very strong'.
- Javier Milei congratulated Bolsonaro on an 'historic election against the communist Lula', and Benjamin Netanyahu referred to Bolsonaro as 'friend'.

Donald Trump described the first-round performance of Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil's presidential election as a 'great victory'. Trump also predicted that the second round of the election would be 'very close' or 'very strong'. Flávio Bolsonaro secured 47.03% of the vote in the first round, advancing to a run-off against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who received 45.16%.

Other international figures commented on the election results. Argentina's president, Javier Milei, congratulated Flávio Bolsonaro on an 'historic election against the communist Lula'. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, also referred to Flávio Bolsonaro as 'friend'.

## Coverage disagreements

Reports differ on the exact phrasing of Donald Trump's comments. CartaCapital reported Trump said it was a 'great victory. Apertada, but very, very big, incredible'. Noticias Argentinas and Hola News stated Trump predicted a 'very close' second round. Noticias ao Minuto and Jornal Expresso reported Trump predicted a 'very strong' or 'very renegade' second round, respectively. RPP reported Trump called the advantage 'great victory' and predicted a 'very close' result. Reader.gr stated Trump told reporters Bolsonaro's margin over Lula was 'marginal' but a 'very big victory. Really amazing.' Anadolu Ajansı reported Trump called Bolsonaro's performance 'incredible'.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific vote difference of approximately 2.2 million votes between Flávio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a detail present in the CartaCapital full report.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 16 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 6% (1)
- Centre: 31% (5)
- Right: 63% (10)

33 of 49 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-05T23:42:22.577Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 4 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-05T23:45:27.743Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated report from CartaCapital led with Donald Trump calling Flávio Bolsonaro's performance a 'great victory'. It included Trump's full quote describing the victory as 'Apertada, but very, very big, incredible' and predicting a 'very close' second round. The report also detailed the vote percentages for both Flávio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, noting the difference of about 2.2 million votes. It mentioned comments from Javier Milei and Benjamin Netanyahu, quoting Milei calling it an 'historic election against the communist Lula' and Netanyahu referring to Bolsonaro as 'friend'.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports from Jornal Expresso and Hola News focused on Donald Trump's prediction of a 'very renegade' or 'very close' second round in Brazil's presidential election. Jornal Expresso noted that the opposition candidate Flávio Bolsonaro had a two-point advantage over Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Hola News reported Trump's description of Bolsonaro's first-round triumph as a 'great victory' and his prediction of a 'very close' second round.

### Right

- The right-rated reports from Anadolu Ajansı and El Universo highlighted Donald Trump's characterisation of Flávio Bolsonaro's first-round success in Brazil's presidential election as a 'great victory'. Anadolu Ajansı also included Trump's comment that Bolsonaro's performance was 'incredible'. El Universo focused on Trump's prediction that the second round between Flávio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva would have a 'very close' result.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 2
- high: 12
- unknown: 33
- veryHigh: 2

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Devdiscourse](https://devdiscourse.com/article/international/3987219-trump-hails-bolsonaro-performance-in-brazil-first-round-vote) — Trump hails Bolsonaro performance in Brazil first-round vote
- [Gestion](https://gestion.pe/mundo/internacional/trump-califica-de-gran-victoria-ventaja-de-bolsonaro-y-anticipa-segunda-vuelta-renida-noticia) — Trump Calls Bolsonaro’s “Great Victory” Advantage and Anticipates Second Round in a Row
- [EL NACIONAL](https://elnacional.com/2026/10/trump-augura-una-segunda-vuelta-muy-renida-entre-flavio-bolsonaro-y-lula-en-brasil) — Trump Predicts a Second Round "Very Close" Between Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula in Brazil
- [Iefimerida](https://iefimerida.gr/kosmos/tramp-panigyrizei-protia-mpolsonaroy-eklogon-brazilia) — Trump Celebrates Bolsonaro's Victory in the First Round of the Presidential Election in Brazil - iefimerida.gr
- [expreso.ec](https://expreso.ec/internacional/trump-califico-gran-victoria-ventaja-flavio-bolsonaro-sobre-lula-brasil-298250.html) — Trump Called Flávio Bolsonaro’s Advantage over Lula in Brazil “Great Victory”
- [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3061979/brasileleicoes-trump-preve-segunda-volta-muito-renhida) — Brazil? Donald Trump Predicts Second Round "Very Strong"
- [Jornal Expresso](https://expresso.pt/internacional/brasil/eleicoes/2026-10-05-trump-preve-segunda-volta-muito-renhida-no-brasil-73baab22) — Trump Predicts Second Round "Very Renegade" in Brazil
- [Sapo](https://sapo.pt/artigo/trump-preve-segunda-volta-muito-renhida-no-brasil-6ac41fa79406c429be5195f3) — Trump Predicts Second Round "Very Renegade" in Brazil
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/americas/trump-calls-flavio-bolsonaro-s-first-round-success-in-brazil-s-presidential-election-a-great-victory-/4079082) — Trump Calls Flavio Bolsonaro's First-Round Success in Brazil's Presidential Election a 'Great Victory'
- [Noticias Argentinas | Agencia de noticias](https://noticiasargentinas.com/internacionales/trump-saluda-la--gran-victoria--de-flavio-bolsonaro-contra-lula--pero-predice-una-segunda-vuelta--muy-renida-_a6ac41c060606b0c07eda7ab2) — Trump Salutes Flávio Bolsonaro's "Great Victory" Against Lula, but Predicts a "Very Close" Second Round
- [IOL Portugal](https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/videos/ha-uma-vitoria-da-estrategia-de-donald-trump-na-mudanca-politica-da-america-do-sul/6ac416f00cf22b9f8904df0d) — There Is a "Victory of Donald Trump's Strategy" in South America's Political Change
- [RPP](https://rpp.pe/mundo/estados-unidos/donald-trump-califica-de-gran-victoria-la-ventaja-de-bolsonaro-y-preve-segunda-vuelta-renida-noticia-1710940) — Donald Trump Calls Bolsonaro's Advantage "Great Victory" and Foresees a Second Round
- [reader.gr](https://reader.gr/kosmos/brazilia-panigyrizei-o-tramp-gia-tin-epikratisi-mpolsonaroy-ston-proto-gyro-ton-eklogon/664233) — Brazil: Trump Celebrates Bolsonaro's Victory in the First Round of Elections
- [parapolitika.gr](https://parapolitika.gr/diethni/article/1801491/vrazilia-o-trab-hairetizei-tin-epikratisi-bolsonarou-ston-proto-guro-ton-proedrikon-eklogon-polu-megali-niki) — Brazil: Trump Hails Bolsonaro's Victory in the First Round of the Presidential Election - "A Very Big Victory"
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/trump-califica-de-gran-victoria-el-triunfo-de-bolsonaro-y-preve-segunda-vuelta-renida) — Trump Calls Bolsonaro's Triumph a "Great Victory" and Foresees a Second Round of Fighting
- [BT](https://bt.dk/udland/trump-hylder-hoejrefloejskandidat-efter-valgsejr-i-brasilien) — Trump Hails Right-Wing Candidate After Election Victory in Brazil
- [dhnet.be](https://dhnet.be/actu/monde/2026/10/05/elections-presidentielles-au-bresil-trump-qualifie-le-succes-de-bolsonaro-au-premier-tour-de-tres-grande-victoire-DJQWX2C47JAJVIMW2GPDM6CO7Q) — Brazil's Presidential Elections: Trump Calls Bolsonaro's Success in the First Round "Very Big Victory"
- [CartaCapital](https://cartacapital.com.br/politica/trump-celebra-grande-vitoria-de-flavio-bolsonaro-contra-lula) — Trump Celebrates 'Great Victory' of Flávio Bolsonaro Against Lula
- [enikos.gr](https://enikos.gr/society/trab-megali-niki-tou-bolsonarou-ston-proto-gyro-ton-eklogon-sti-vrazilia/2655301) — Trump: Bolsonaro's "Big Victory" in the First Round of Elections in Brazil
- [El Universo](https://eluniverso.com/internacional/estados-unidos/donald-trump-se-pronuncia-por-resultado-de-flavio-bolsonaro-en-brasil-nota) — Donald Trump Speaks as a Result of Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil
- [CNN Greece](https://cnn.gr/kosmos/story/555600/tramp-poly-megali-niki-i-epikratisi-bolsonarou-ston-proto-gyro-ton-eklogon-sti-vrazilia) — Trump: Bolsonaro's Victory in the First Round of Elections in Brazil Is a "Very Big Victory"
- [flash.gr](https://flash.gr/poly-megali-niki-pragmatika-ekpliktiki-tramp-gia-mpolsonaroy-1084571) — "A Very Big Victory, Truly Amazing": Trump's Satisfaction with Bolsonaro's Victory
- [Diário do Poder](https://diariodopoder.com.br/exteriores/e02-internacional/trump-diz-que-flavio-teve-vitoria-muito-grande-no-primeiro-turno) — Trump Says Flavio Had ‘Very Big Victory' in the First Round
- [A Gazeta Brasil apresenta as últimas notícias sobre governo Bolsonaro, Lava Jato, Planalto, Congress](https://gazetabrasil.com.br/mundo/2026/10/05/trump-comenta-resultado-de-flavio-de-impressionante-no-1o-turno-das-eleicoes) — Trump Comments Flávio's Result and Calls the Vote Impressive
- [Gazeta Do Povo](https://gazetadopovo.com.br/mundo/trump-classifica-como-grande-vitoria-desempenho-de-flavio-no-1o-turno-contra-lula-incrivel) — Trump Ranks as "Great Victory" Performance of Flavio in the 1st Round Against Lula
- [Agenzia giornalistica Opinione](https://agenziagiornalisticaopinione.it/opinionmix/ladige-it-attualita-trump-il-risultato-di-bolsonaro-in-brasile-una-grande-vittoria) — Trump Praises the Victory of Bolsonaro in Brazil
- [berlingske.dk](https://berlingske.dk/internationalt/trump-hylder-hoejrefloejskandidat-efter-valgsejr-i-brasilien) — Trump Hails Right-Wing Candidate After Election Victory in Brazil
- [avisendanmark.dk](https://avisendanmark.dk/udland/trump-hylder-hoejrefloejskandidat-efter-valgsejr-i-brasilien) — Trump Hails Right-Wing Candidate After Election Victory in Brazil
- [Agenda do Poder](https://agendadopoder.com.br/trump-ve-segundo-turno-acirrado-e-chama-vitoria-de-flavio-de-impressionante) — Trump Sees Second Turn High and Calls Flavio's Victory Impressive
- [N Digital](https://n.com.do/2026/10/05/donald-trump-sobre-la-segunda-vuelta-en-brasil-creo-que-van-a-ser-unas-elecciones-muy-renidas) — Donald Trump on the Second Round in Brazil: "I Think It's Going to Be a Very Close Election"
- [Super Rádio Tupi](https://tupi.fm/sentinelas/trump-exalta-flavio-bolsonaro-e-classifica-resultado-como-grande-vitoria) — Trump Exalts Flávio Bolsonaro and Ranks Result as ‘Great Victory'
- [O Antagonista](https://oantagonista.com.br/mundo/trump-classifica-votacao-de-flavio-como-grande-vitoria) — Trump Ranks Flavio's Vote as a Great Victory.
- [La Libre](https://lalibre.be/international/amerique/2026/10/05/presidentielle-au-bresil-donald-trump-salue-une-grande-victoire-de-flavio-bolsonaro-RWUOY662HJCYHBKXEZ4GMLHQFE) — President in Brazil: Donald Trump Salutes Flavio Bolsonaro's "Great Victory"
- [Reformatorisch Dagblad](https://rd.nl/a/trump-prijst-grote-overwinning-van-bolsonaro) — Trump Praises Bolsonaro’s ‘Big Victory’
- [infomoney.com.br](https://infomoney.com.br/politica/trump-chama-resultado-de-flavio-de-impressionante-e-preve-2o-turno-apertado) — Trump Calls Flavio's Result Impressive and Predicts 2nd Round Tight
- [ANSA](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2026/10/05/trump-il-risultato-di-bolsonaro-in-brasile-una-grande-vittoria_4f928575-3079-45a6-b4ae-0ea99dac62a1.html) — Trump, the Result of Bolsonaro in Brazil a 'Great Victory'
- [El Carabobeño](https://el-carabobeno.com/trump-pronostica-que-la-segunda-vuelta-en-brasil-estara-muy-renida) — Trump Predicts that the Second Round in Brazil Will Be Very Close
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/estados-unidos/trump-saluda-gran-victoria-de-bolsonaro-pero-predice-una-eleccion-muy-renida-en-brasil_0_zu0132VlS5.html) — Trump Salutes Bolsonaro's "Great Victory" but Predicts a "Very Close" Election in Brazil
- [la Nacion](https://lanacion.com.ar/estados-unidos/donald-trump-elogio-la-victoria-increible-de-flavio-bolsonoro-en-las-elecciones-de-brasil-nid05102026) — Donald Trump Praised Flavio Bolsonoro’s “Incredible Victory” in Brazil’s Elections · Global Voices
- [Metrópoles](https://metropoles.com/mundo/trump-diz-que-flavio-bolsonaro-teve-vitoria-muito-grande-na-eleicao) — Trump Says that Flávio Bolsonaro Had "Great Victory" in the Election
- [Globo](https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2026/10/05/trump-diz-que-segundo-turno-das-eleicoes-do-brasil-devem-ser-muito-acirrados.ghtml) — Trump Says Flavio's Victory Was 'Tight, but Impressive'
- [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/trump-diz-que-desempenho-de-flavio-no-1-turno-e-vitoria-muito-grande) — Trump Says Flavio's Performance in the 1st Round Is "Very Big Victory"
- [A TARDE](https://atarde.com.br/politica/trump-se-surpreende-com-resultado-de-flavio-e-preve-2-turno-acirrado-1404701) — Trump Is Surprised by the Result of Flavio and Predicts 2nd Round
- [Tribuna Online](https://tribunaonline.com.br/politica/eleicoes2026/grande-vitoria-diz-trump-sobre-flavio-bolsonaro-ter-ficado-a-frente-no-1-turno-332197) — 'Great Victory', Trump Says About Flávio Bolsonaro Having Been Ahead in the First Round
- [Jornal do Comércio](https://jornaldocomercio.com/internacional/2026/10/1265868-grande-vitoria-diz-trump-sobre-vantagem-de-flavio-bolsonaro-no-1-turno-das-eleicoes.html) — 'Great Victory', Trump Says About the Advantage of Flávio Bolsonaro in the First Round of the Elections
- [Terra](https://terra.com.br/noticias/mundo/trump-elogia-desempenho-de-flavio-bolsonaro-no-primeiro-turno-das-eleicoes,64358febe82d7c4113dfd17cb27cae22j02ljm26.html) — Trump Praises Performance of Flávio Bolsonaro in the First Round of the Elections
- [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/mundo/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mundo/2026/10/grande-vitoria-diz-trump-sobre-flavio-bolsonaro-ter-ficado-a-frente-no-1o-turno-da-eleicao.shtml) — 'Great Victory', Trump Says About Flavius in the Elections
- [Jovem Pan News](https://jovempan.com.br/mundo/trump-celebra-vitoria-de-flavio-mas-preve-eleicao-disputada) — Trump Celebrates Flavio's Victory, but Predicts Disputed Election
- [BCharts Fórum](https://bcharts.com.br/t/jornais-americanos-comemoram-vitoria-de-flavio-e-comparam-brasil-a-um-prato-de-comida-do-pais/98482) — American Newspapers Celebrate Flavio's Victory and Compare Brazil to a Dish of Food From the Country!

## Questions

**What did Donald Trump say about the Brazilian election?**

Donald Trump called Flávio Bolsonaro's performance in the first round of the Brazilian presidential election a 'great victory'. He also predicted that the second round would be 'very close' or 'very strong'.

**What were the results of the first round of the Brazilian presidential election?**

Flávio Bolsonaro advanced to the second round with 47.03% of the vote, while Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received 45.16%. This resulted in Bolsonaro having a lead of approximately 2.2 million votes over Lula.

**Who else commented on the Brazilian election results?**

Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, congratulated Flávio Bolsonaro on an 'historic election against the communist Lula'. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, referred to Flávio Bolsonaro as 'friend'.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-calls-bolsonaros-election-performance-a-great-victory. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Trump calls Bolsonaro's election performance a 'great victory'", https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-calls-bolsonaros-election-performance-a-great-victory