Brazilian Judge Places Bolsonaro Under House Arrest for Social Media Ban Violation

In a dramatic escalation of legal action against former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, a Supreme Court judge on Monday placed him under house arrest for violating a social media ban. The move comes amid Bolsonaro’s ongoing trial over allegations that he attempted to orchestrate a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the house arrest after Bolsonaro’s allies defied court restrictions by broadcasting a live video call between him and his son during a pro-Bolsonaro rally in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. The court had previously barred the 70-year-old former president from using social media and prohibited third parties from sharing his public remarks. He had also been ordered to wear an ankle monitor and remain home at night and on weekends.

De Moraes condemned what he called Bolsonaro’s “repeated failure” to comply with judicial orders and stated the judiciary would not be manipulated by someone with “political and economic power.” As part of the new restrictions, Bolsonaro is now forbidden from receiving visitors—other than his lawyers—and from using mobile phones.

Bolsonaro, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, is facing a potential prison sentence if convicted. His supporters have decried the legal proceedings as politically motivated. Sunday’s rallies across Brazil featured U.S. flags and placards thanking Trump, who recently imposed steep 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods such as coffee and announced sanctions against Justice Moraes, denouncing the trial as a “witch hunt.”

Justice Moraes, a polarizing figure on both the Brazilian and American right, has been outspoken in his campaign against far-right disinformation networks and has clashed with high-profile figures including Elon Musk over content moderation.

The trial is expected to conclude in the coming weeks.