The Supreme Court of Brazil has blocked the country's former right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, from visiting America to attend President Trump's inauguration.

An ally of Trump during his first term, Bolsonaro condemned the ruling from Justice Alexandre de Moraes as a "grave disappointment" and an example of leftist "lawfare" against him.

"These actions have nothing to do with justice or preventing flight risks. They have everything to do with fear: fear of Bolsonaro’s popularity, who is leading in the polls for the 2026 elections; fear of his broad support among Brazilians from all social classes and regions of the country; and fear of what he represents," a statement from Bolsonaro read.

The government indicted Bolsonaro in November for an alleged coup attempt following the 2022 election, which he narrowly lost to socialist president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro's passport was taken from him last year by federal police.

Bolsonaro blocked from inauguration

In addition, Bolsonaro faces charges for fabricating COVID vaccine cards - and even has faced investigation for harassing a humpback whale while riding a jet-ski.

A court also banned Bolsonaro from serving until 2030 for casting doubt on election integrity.

His right-wing movement has faced a vigorous crackdown from Brazil's Supreme Court, which accuses Bolsonaro allies of spreading disinformation and endangering democracy.

Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes - a controversial figure also known for sparring with Elon Musk - ruled that Bolsonaro must stay in Brazil because he poses a flight risk.

"The scenario that justified the imposition of the ban on leaving the country, with the surrender of passports, continues to indicate the possibility of an attempted evasion by the accused," de Moraes wrote.

"I will overcome it"

The Supreme Court also said Bolsonaro has not proven he was invited, although Bolsonaro shared a letter signed by inauguration committee co-chairs Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler.

In an interview before the ruling, Bolsonaro expressed excitement about witnessing Trump's triumphant return, calling Trump "the most important guy in the world."

"I'm feeling like a kid again with Trump's invite. I'm fired up. I'm not even taking Viagra anymore," Bolsonaro joked to the New York Times.

- Declaração do Gabinete do Presidente Jair Bolsonaro

- A decisão de hoje de Alexandre de Moraes de negar o pedido do Presidente Jair Bolsonaro para comparecer à histórica posse do Presidente @realDonaldTrump é uma grave decepção — não apenas para o Presidente Bolsonaro, mas…

— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) January 16, 2025

In his statement to supporters, Bolsonaro pledged to overcome his legal woes, which he compared to the weaponization of government that Trump has faced in the United States.

"They did not act quickly enough to destroy... Donald Trump, and he overcame this judicial activism. I will overcome it too," Bolsonaro wrote.