During an occasion in Rio de Janeiro before the G20 conference, Brazilian first lady Janja Lula da Silva stirred things by pointing a swear word at billionaire Elon Musk. The incident happened during a panel debate aimed at controlling social media channels, especially to counter false information. Janja was startled by a loud boom and laughed, “I think it’s Elon Musk,” even as she argued for more robust social media rules.
Janja Lula da Silva said, “I’m not afraid of you,” then swore at the owner of Tesla and X (previously Twitter), attracting attention from attendees and the media.
How Did Elon Musk Respond to the Incident and What Was the Brazilian Backlash?
Elon Musk, who owns X and Tesla, went to the platform to upload a video of the incident along with some remarks. Musk labeled the video in the post with a straightforward “lol,” suggesting he thought the exchange was entertaining. Musk included two laughing emojis and said in another post, “They are going to lose the next election,” apparently alluding to the left-wing Workers Party of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Given his convoluted history with Brazil and its present government, Musk’s remarks are especially noteworthy. X was temporarily banned in the nation earlier this year when the platform disregarded Brazilian laws, including assigning a local legal counsel and removing accounts claimed to be disseminating false material. The restriction was dropped only once Musk’s platform paid a hefty $5.1 million punishment.
What Is the Relationship Between Musk, Bolsonaro, and Brazil's Politics?
Beyond his social media presence, Elon Musk’s political ties to Brazil stretch beyond Long, a friend of the former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who is still causing political unrest even after his expulsion from the 2026 contest; he was Previously a strong critic of the Brazilian voting system, Bolsonaro was found guilty of disseminating false information on the outcomes of the 2022 election. Bolsonaro has proclaimed his determination to return to the political scene in 2026, even though he is banned from participating in the next elections for eight years.
The social media user Bolsonaro posted the incident video and Musk’s reaction. “We now have another diplomatic problem,” he said, a comment that only fuels the conflict between Musk’s fans and Brazil’s present government.
How Will the G20 Summit Address These Issues?
The contentious interaction between Janja Lula da Silva and Elon Musk will likely become a hot issue in international diplomatic circles as world leaders assemble for the G20 conference in Rio de Janeiro. Starting on Monday, the summit—which will unite leaders of the top economies in the world—is guaranteed to have a knock-on impact on political and commercial spheres worldwide.
This conflict draws attention to the continuous conflict between governments attempting to control digital platforms to prevent false information and guarantee political stability and social media behemoths such as X. The G20 conference will be a pivotal point for negotiations on these critical problems even if already high tensions exist.
