Socialist President Lula: Brazil Leading the Way in Countering Elon Musk’s ‘Far-Right Ideology

 Far-Left Brazilian President Lula: Brazil Setting Global Example Against Elon Musk’s ‘Far-Right Ideology’

Far-left Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared on Monday that his government’s aggressive stance against the social media platform X and its owner, Elon Musk, is setting a global example.

In an interview with CNN Brazil, Lula asserted, “The world is not obliged to tolerate Musk’s far-right ideology simply because he is wealthy.” Lula has increasingly criticized Musk’s wealth, positioning himself as a counterweight in the feud, despite his own control over a significant state treasury and the apparatus of a repressive regime.

At a press conference in August, Lula remarked, “Just because the guy [Musk] has a lot of money doesn’t mean he can disrespect the Brazilian state.” He argued that Musk, as a U.S. citizen, does not have the right to offend Brazilian officials, disregarding the principle that freedom of speech includes the right to criticize government figures.

Lula, who served jail time for corruption before his presidential candidacy was reinstated by the Brazilian Supreme Court in 2019, might not be the most impartial judge of others' wealth and actions.

The UK Guardian noted that Lula’s actions might inadvertently strengthen the Brazilian opposition. The publication reported that thousands of supporters of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro are expected to rally on Saturday, potentially fueled by frustration over the Supreme Court’s stance.

Musk, who has aligned himself with Bolsonaro’s radical movement and supported Donald Trump, shared an invitation to Saturday’s rally with his 196 million X followers. The invitation described the event as a march for freedom, protesting judicial overreach and defending free speech.

Brazilian columnist Pedro Doria criticized Musk for presenting himself as a champion of free speech while noting that Lula’s measures—such as imposing hefty fines on Brazilians accessing banned X content through VPNs—make it easier for Musk to portray himself as a defender of free speech.

Meanwhile, Lula is emerging as a proponent of the authoritarian left’s vision of controlled free speech, with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris describing it as a “privilege” granted by the State. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison recently praised Lula’s government for banning X in Brazil.

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