Lula’s social media ‘general’ who saved his campaign

Brazilian President Lula da Silva won a new term Sunday, with lawyer, politician, and influencer André Janones (42) playing a crucial role in his campaign as the self-styled "General of Lula." After Lula lost the first round to Flávio Bolsonaro, Janones launched daily Instagram posts and a WhatsApp channel called "Lula's Army," growing his followers from two million to eight million and the channel from 50,000 to ten million, boosting Lula's visibility among young voters. Janones used military terminology to mobilize supporters, a strategy that proved effective but controversial. His efforts helped sway voters, while Meta was ordered to treat both candidates equally after limiting Lula's posts. Janones, who benefited from Lula-era scholarships, stood beside the president at the victory celebration.