Brazilian Court Fines Jair Bolsonaro $188,000 for Racist Remarks

A Brazilian Federal Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to pay 1 million reais ($188,865) in damages for racist comments he made while in office. The ruling addresses remarks from May 2021, when Bolsonaro mocked a Black supporter’s hairstyle, comparing it to a cockroach and calling it a “breeding ground,” comments the court deemed harmful to collective moral dignity.

Bolsonaro’s defense has long argued that his words were intended as jokes, denying any racist intent. However, the court rejected this position, ruling that the statements carried discriminatory weight and contributed to collective moral harm. Bolsonaro’s legal team has not issued a new statement following the decision.

The ruling adds to the former president’s mounting legal troubles. Less than a week earlier, Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for attempting a coup d’état after his failed reelection bid in 2022. The former army captain has repeatedly denied orchestrating efforts to overturn the election results, framing them instead as political persecution.

The timing of the decision also coincides with Bolsonaro’s hospitalization in Brasília after falling ill at his residence, where he is under house arrest. Medical staff have not disclosed further details about his condition.

The financial penalty marks another significant setback for Bolsonaro, who remains one of Brazil’s most polarizing political figures. His supporters continue to rally behind him, while critics view the ruling as a step toward accountability for discriminatory and anti-democratic behavior.

With ongoing legal battles, prison sentences, and now substantial financial penalties, Bolsonaro’s future influence in Brazilian politics appears increasingly uncertain.