Trump says Lula asked him to stay neutral in Brazil's election

President Donald Trump said Thursday that Brazilian elections were "a great shame" and that he refrained from taking sides during the campaign at the request of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The U.S. has not officially congratulated Lula on his re-election. Trump told reporters he was "instructed" by Lula not to take a position, adding that Brazil's market crash made the situation "very shameful." Lula had previously stated in September that Trump communicated he would not interfere in the election, citing the countries' 203-year diplomatic relationship. Brazil's intelligence agency Abin had warned in August of a "critical" risk of U.S. influence, citing American government documents from November 2025 to May 2026 showing "escalating pressure" on Brazil.