Brazil’s First Lady, Janja Lula da Silva, recently made headlines for publicly criticizing billionaire Elon Musk at a G20 social event in Brazil. The country is set to host the G20 summit next week.
While giving a speech, the First Lady was interrupted by the loud sound of a ship’s horn. Without missing a beat, she jokingly blamed the interruption on Musk, saying, “It’s Elon Musk,” before adding, “I’m not afraid of you, f**k you, Elon Musk.”
Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter) with laughing emojis, and commented, “They are going to lose the next election.”
This exchange brings attention to a broader issue surrounding misinformation on social media. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been outspoken about Musk’s platform, criticizing its role in spreading misinformation. He emphasized that platforms should not be allowed to undermine democracy and the rights of citizens.
Janja’s remarks, however, sparked a wave of criticism from political opponents, including former President Jair Bolsonaro. He warned that her comments might damage Brazil’s diplomatic relations and cause problems for the current government.
The controversy comes on the heels of a significant legal battle between Musk’s platform and the Brazilian government. In October, the Brazilian Supreme Court, led by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, approved the reinstatement of X in the country after it had been blocked in August. The platform was shut down due to issues surrounding free speech, far-right content, and misinformation.
Musk didn’t take kindly to the court’s actions, calling Justice de Moraes an authoritarian and a censor. In the end, X complied with the court’s demands, which included blocking certain accounts, paying fines, and appointing a legal representative in Brazil to avoid further suspension.
