Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro is planning a trip to Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, according to sources familiar with the matter. The conservative presidential hopeful is looking to shift public focus away from a damaging political scandal linking him to an imprisoned, disgraced financier.
According to an insider, the right-wing legislator—who is the oldest son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro—is scheduled to fly to the United States ahead of a White House meeting with Trump. A second source verified that a White House invitation had been extended, though they could not confirm the exact date of the meeting. Representatives for the senator did not immediately provide a statement regarding the travel plans.
The high-profile international trip comes at a crucial moment for Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign, which has been in freefall. A major crisis has severely weakened his standing against leftist incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ahead of the upcoming October elections.
The political fallout began earlier this month during a massive bank fraud investigation. Bolsonaro acknowledged reports that he had arranged millions of dollars in funding for a biographical movie about his father from Daniel Vorcaro—a prominent banker currently behind bars on charges of investor fraud and bribing public officials. While the senator previously denied having any contact with Vorcaro, he has since maintained that the arrangements were strictly part of a legitimate, private investment agreement involving no inappropriate favors or misconduct.
In tandem with seeking the White House meeting to boost his international profile, Bolsonaro has been working to contain the damage domestically. He recently traveled to São Paulo to hold crisis talks with corporate executives who are increasingly nervous about his ability to defeat Lula. Additionally, the senator met with senior campaign staff and replaced his director of communications in a bid to salvage his presidential bid.