Is the X-Blockade in Brazil heralding a new dictatorship? That is what Bolsonaro supporters believe – and are taking to the streets. The conflict started with the storming of government institutions in 2023.
“Alexandre de Moraes must go! Remove the judge!” This is the chant of the group that has gathered on Rio's Copacabana, dressed in national colours. One has taped his mouth shut with packing tape and painted his face blood-red, another holds up a photo of the hated judge, crossed by two thick red bars. “It's absurd, we are witnessing the beginning of a dictatorship by a judge, we cannot remain silent now,” says one participant.
What happened? The Supreme Court ordered the blocking of X a week ago. Tech billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform had refused to block accounts that were alleged to have spread conspiracy theories and misinformation and thus contributed to the attempted coup.
Back then, on January 8, 2023, supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro vandalized the Constitutional Court, Parliament and the presidential palace. The fact that the action was thwarted had a lot to do with de Moraes' tough approach. Afterwards, thousands were put in prison for their involvement in the coup attempt – including those who had operated these accounts.
X and Elon Musk have become part of the conflict between supporters and opponents of former President Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro called the judge a dictator from a stage in São Paulo. He also called for an amnesty for what he called the political prisoners of January 8:
The truth is: They are not interested in controlling and censoring disinformation, hate speech and fake news. They want to censor the truth, they don't want the people to know the truth.
“Musk is acting maliciously”
For Bolsonaro, de Moraes is a red rag. The blocking of X last week has vindicated his supporters in their criticism. And Elon Musk began to support the Bolsonarists more and more openly over the course of this year.
The richest person in the world is using his platform and influence to discredit political opponents and is specifically supporting the global right, says journalist and author Pedro Doria – but Judge de Moraes also made mistakes beforehand:
Should we question the judge's order? Yes! Can we ignore the order? No! Musk is acting maliciously. In other countries, accounts have been blocked without any problems.
Lula appears with Richter
Meanwhile, Brazil's left-wing President Lula da Silva has also taken a stand. On Independence Day, he stood shoulder to shoulder with de Moraes in the capital Brasilia. “We will not tolerate any person, no matter how rich, who attacks our legislature. Our independence is not for sale,” he said.
With the blocking of X and the support of Musk, the political divide in Brazil has deepened again – just a few weeks before the local elections.
