Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro denied leading a coup attempt after the 2022 election during his testimony before the country’s Supreme Court. While acknowledging that he participated in meetings exploring ways to overturn the election results, Bolsonaro claimed no unconstitutional action was ever taken.
“We had to accept the election outcome,” said Bolsonaro, adding that discussions with aides included potential military deployment and civil liberty suspensions but were quickly abandoned. “I never acted against the Constitution,” he stated, holding Brazil’s 1988 democratic charter.
Bolsonaro is one of eight individuals, including several military officials, charged with plotting to block President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office in January 2023. The charges stem from a two-year investigation that followed a violent pro-Bolsonaro riot in Brasília, one week after Lula assumed office.
On Monday, Bolsonaro watched the testimony of Mauro Cid, his former aide turned whistleblower. Cid claimed Bolsonaro reviewed and modified a draft decree central to the coup plan, which included ordering the arrest of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes—now overseeing the case. Bolsonaro denied editing the document and apologized for previous unfounded corruption allegations against justices, saying, “Forgive me.”
The former president used part of his two-hour testimony to defend his administration and criticize Brazil’s electoral system. Despite being barred from holding public office until 2030 by Brazil’s electoral court, Bolsonaro has expressed intentions to run in the 2026 election.
With dozens of witnesses already heard, the Supreme Court case is progressing quickly and could conclude by October, avoiding overlap with the next presidential campaign. A final ruling on Bolsonaro’s involvement in the alleged coup is expected before year’s end.