Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro addressed right-wing activists at Trump resort in Miami amid calls for him to be ejected from the country
- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro addressed right-wing activists at a Trump resort on Friday.
- Bolsonaro did not address how long he plans to extend his stay in Florida.
It's been nearly a month since former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro promised to go home, where he faces a criminal investigation over his role in stoking an insurrection that saw supporters trash Brazil's capital over debunked claims of voter fraud.
Instead of going back, however, the right-wing politician has sought to extend his stay in the United States, to the chagrin of Democrats and others who want him ejected. In Florida, where he came just before the inauguration of his left-wing successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — and days before the riot in Brasilia — the right-wing politician has enjoyed American fast food and the support of conservative Brazilian expats.
On Friday, Bolsonaro beamed as supporters cheered him at a campaign-style event organized by Turning Point USA, a youth-oriented conservative activist group, and hosted by the Trump National Doral golf resort in Miami. There he boasted of Brazil's economic performance during his time in office and took part in a friendly question-and-answer session led by TPUSA's Charlie Kirk.
"Liberty is like a great love, we must care for it every day," Bolsonaro said, addressing the crowd through a translator.
He was not asked if he will go back to Brazil, where he faces increasing legal jeopardy.
In January, just after a mob of supporters smashed windows at government buildings, in scenes reminiscent of the January 6 insurrection in Washington, Bolsonaro told CNN Brasil that he had originally intended to stay "until the end of the month [January], but I intend to bring forward my return."
He has since applied for a six-month visa.
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