Bolsonaro maintains support on social media after coup accusation – 03/18/2024 – Frequently Forwarded

After the release of the testimony of the former Army commander, General Marco Antônio Freire Gomes, who gave details about what the meeting to discuss the so-called draft of the coup would have been like, social networks were divided between those who pointed to an attempted coup d’état. by former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and those who minimize Freire Gomes’ revelations.

In the more than 60,000 public WhatsApp and Telegram groups analyzed by Palver, it is possible to verify that the majority of Bolsonaro’s supporters do not believe that the existence of the draft and Bolsonaro’s direct involvement constitute an attempted coup d’état.

The argument focuses on the fact that the state of siege is provided for by the Federal Constitution and that, therefore, Bolsonaro would not be aiming for a rupture.

Some of the messages shared by the former president’s supporters criticize the Federal Police’s investigations, saying that the draft found is not proof of an attempted coup. One of the messages says that “he did not decree the draft, at most he planned it”.

Other users are ironic, pointing out that such a measure foreseen in the draft would need approval from the National Congress or even questioning “coup using the constitution?”.

The speech used by Bolsonaro’s supporters is in line with the ex-president’s speeches at the event held on Avenida Paulista, in which he mentioned the draft and argued “coup using the Constitution? Be patient”, also stating that there were no weapons or tanks in the street.

This demonstrates Bolsonaro’s high ability to communicate with his base.

Some of the former president’s supporters did not limit themselves to minimizing Freire Gomes’ statements and chose to attack the electoral process, claiming that the STF carried out the coup and that “Lula was not elected by the people” but was “chosen by the electoral service”.

These messages are accompanied by attacks on electronic voting machines and the “system”.

Therefore, the discourse prevails that all of Bolsonaro’s attacks would be a reaction to the injustices committed in the elections, and, therefore, justified.

For the same reasons, they consider General Freire Gomes a “traitor to the country”, as he had “handed Brazil over to the communists”.

In groups not focused on politics, most of the messages share news links about General Freire Gomes’ testimony as well as the developments and repercussions, but there is no debate around the topic and, therefore, the feeling predominates of neutrality.

Among users on the left or in opposition to the former president, there is an effort to point out the reasons why the mere existence of the draft already constitutes a “serious crime”, as it would be planning a coup d’état. In general, they are longer and more explanatory messages.

Many messages and videos circulating in groups claim that Bolsonaro knew about the existence of the draft and that he was placed at the “scene of the crime” after the statements. These messages are generally accompanied by phrases such as “Bolsonaro in jail”, “Bolsonaro arrested” and “no amnesty”.

One of the users says that “the coup attempt is clear” and ends by asking “jail for Bozo and his bandits”.

The former Navy commander, Admiral Almir Garnier, is one of the main names associated with Bolsonaro, being heavily attacked in messages. Users accuse him of being a “nasty coup plotter”, “traitor of the country” and “traitor of the Constitution”.

Even among Bolsonaro’s supporters, there is no one who defends Garnier, who is only mentioned in context.

Regarding the role of General Freire Gomes and Brigadier Baptista Junior, users are divided. There are messages that exalt them and defend that they “saved Brazil” and that they are “good men and legalists”.

On the other hand, there are those who accuse them of “posing as heroes of democracy” and that they would have committed malfeasance by not having denounced Bolsonaro.

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