Brazil’s Fiery Far-Right Presidential Favorite Channels Trump

Tomorrow, Brazilians head to the polls for the first round of presidential elections. Running on the Social Liberal Party slate is Jair Messias Bolsonaro, an ultra-conservative military officer-turned-politician and likely top finisher. If he’s one of the top two vote-getters, he’ll be the favorite in the run-off election, slated for October 28. His likely opponent: former São Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad, who is running in place of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva—Bolsonaro’s arch-nemesis—who is currently serving a 12-year sentence for crimes of corruption and money laundering.

Many analysts have compared Bolsonaro to President Donald Trump. His appeal lies in his defiance of political correctness and rejection of the political establishment. He’s the military junta that ruled the country for 20 years, a female lawmaker he wouldn’t rape her because he’ll only accept the election results if he wins. The list of Bolsonaro’s outrageous claims . So why do 35 percent of Brazilians say they’ll vote for him on Sunday?