TRUMP SAYS BRAZIL ELECTION WAS ‘A DISGRACE’

US President Donald Trump has criticised Brazil’s election, describing it as a “disgrace” while declining to say whether he recognised Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s victory.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump called the election an embarrassment to the Brazilian people but did not explain the basis for his criticism.

“I don’t want to comment on it right now, but I thought the election was a very great embarrassment to the people of Brazil,” he said.

His remarks came a day after his ally, right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, travelled to the United States and declared himself Brazil’s rightful leader.

Bolsonaro’s claim challenges Lula’s reported victory. However, the supplied report did not include evidence supporting that claim or Trump’s criticism of the election.

Trump stopped short of explicitly rejecting Lula’s victory, leaving his position on recognising the result unclear.