Conservative Brazilians praise Musk during rally in support of former President Bolsonaro

Conservative Brazilians praised Elon Musk on Sunday at a rally in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro, whose legal problems grow in parallel with the businessman's dispute with the South American country's Supreme Federal Court.

“Brazil thanks Elon Musk,” read a large sign in English at the rally on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Thousands of fervent Bolsonaro supporters were present.

Musk, who claims to be a free expression absolutist, is the subject of an ongoing investigation into the spread of fake news by Bolsonaro supporters. Musk said that the social network

Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX who acquired Twitter — now X — in late 2022, accused De Moraes of suppressing free expression and violating Brazil's Constitution. He noted on X that users could bypass any blocking of access to the social network by using virtual private networks (VPNs).

After that message, De Moraes decided to include Musk in an ongoing investigation into the so-called digital militias and open a new investigation for obstruction, incitement and criminal association.

Several speakers praised Musk at Sunday's rally.

“What you see here are people who love freedom, who will not give up or kneel before dictators; people who are willing to give their lives for freedom,” said Gustavo Gayer, a legislator who sympathizes with Bolsonaro.

For his part, the former president hailed Musk for showing “courage” in the face of what he said is censorship imposed by De Moraes.

“He is the man who really preserves true freedom for all of us,” said Bolsonaro, who is being investigated on various charges, including supporting attempts to overturn the results of the 2022 elections and plotting a coup against his leftist successor. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Brazil is an important market for social networks. Some 40 million Brazilians, about 18% of the country's population, log into X at least once a month, according to market research group Emarketer.

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