Politics · Brazil · 2 hrs ago
Flávio Bolsonaro’s WhatsApp channel falsely links drug-use video to Lula rally
A WhatsApp channel run by the campaign of Flávio Bolsonaro, a candidate for Brazil’s Liberal Party, shared posts criticizing a pro-Lula rally in São Paulo.
One post showed a young woman raising a card to her nose and implied she was using drugs at the rally.
The same video had circulated on Argentine social media since June in posts about the farewell to singer Indio Solari, who died on June 5.
Congressman Gustavo Gayer urged people to share criticism of the rally, including claims about vandalism and illegal substances.
Gayer said he had not claimed the video was filmed at the rally, and Flávio’s campaign said its channel follows election law and does not spread false news.
Flávio had also accused a pro-Lula WhatsApp channel of spreading false information, an allegation its administrator denies.
The claims come amid rival campaigns using WhatsApp to mobilize supporters and attack opponents.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s WhatsApp channel shared a video of a young woman and linked it to criticism of a pro-Lula rally, although the clip had circulated online in Argentina since at least June.
The rally took place on Sunday, October 11, on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo.
The channel’s post described the woman as appearing to use illicit substances at a demonstration.
Gustavo Gayer, a lawmaker whose audio followed the video in the channel, said he had not claimed the clip was filmed at the rally.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign said the channel follows electoral law and does not spread fake news.
- Who
- Flávio Bolsonaro’s WhatsApp channel, “Tropa do Flávio,” shared the video; Gustavo Gayer also commented on the rally.
- What
- A video of a young woman was presented alongside posts criticizing a pro-Lula rally, implying a connection that the report said was false.
- When
- The rally was held on Sunday, October 11. Folha published its report on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The rally was on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo. The video had circulated on Argentine social media since at least June.
- Why
- Flávio’s campaign decided to respond to online mobilization by Lula’s campaign, according to Folha.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign and Gustavo Gayer
Folha
Video’s connection to rally
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign and Gustavo Gayer
Gayer said he did not say the video was filmed on Paulista Avenue and described it as a reference to left-wing demonstrations more broadly.
Folha
Folha reported that the channel shared the video in a sequence criticizing the pro-Lula rally and falsely implied the woman was using drugs at a demonstration.
Channel’s content
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign and Gustavo Gayer
The campaign said the channel does not spread fake news and follows electoral rules.
Folha
Folha said the channel circulated false insinuations, including the suggestion that the woman used cocaine at the rally.
A still from the video was circulating on Argentine social media pages, including comments on posts about the farewell to singer Indio Solari.
A pro-Lula rally took place on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s WhatsApp channel posted the video in a sequence criticizing the rally; Gayer’s audio followed it.
Folha published its report, and the post was deleted after the outlet questioned Flávio’s campaign and Gayer.
- Channel
- Tropa do Flávio
- Rally date
- October 11, 2026
- Rally location
- Paulista Avenue, São Paulo
- Video’s earlier circulation
- At least June, on Argentine social media
- Channel followers
- 1.4 million at 5 p.m. on Monday
- Other channel’s followers
- Exército do Lula” had 3.8 million at 5 p.m. on Monday
What people are saying
Its use observes current electoral legislation and the rules applicable to digital platforms and, unlike the PT, does not spread fake news.
At no point is it said that this video of this girl is on Paulista Avenue.
For it to be considered fake news, there would have to be a statement about where or when. And that was not done.
Sources
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