Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro is pursuing a meeting at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump, two people familiar with the matter said, in a move that comes as his presidential bid faces political headwinds.
One source told Reuters that Bolsonaro is expected to fly to the United States on Monday for a planned visit to Washington, ahead of what could be a meeting with Trump at the White House next week. A second source confirmed that the White House had extended an invitation but said they could not confirm an exact time for any encounter.
A spokesperson for the right-wing senator, who is the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The reported plans for a U.S. visit arrive while Bolsonaro's campaign grapples with a controversy that has diminished his standing in polls against the leftist incumbent, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as Brazil moves toward October elections.
This month Bolsonaro became entwined in a scandal stemming from a record-breaking bank fraud investigation after he acknowledged that he had arranged millions of dollars in funding for a film about his father with Daniel Vorcaro. Vorcaro is a banker currently jailed on accusations of bribing officials and defrauding investors. Bolsonaro has maintained that the negotiations were limited to a private investment contract and denied that any favors or improper conduct took place. Earlier he had denied any contact with the banker.
In response to the political pressure, Bolsonaro traveled to Sao Paulo this week to hold meetings aimed at solidifying support among business leaders, whose concern about his electoral prospects has grown, according to reporting. He also convened senior members of his campaign team and replaced his head of communications.
Context and immediate developments
The reporting identifies an active effort by the senator to engage directly with U.S. officials while his campaign responds to fallout from the banker-related probe. At least two sources corroborated an invitation or planned travel, but details on timing and any agenda for a White House meeting remain unspecified.