The Impact of Bolsonaro's Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric in Brazil

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of Jair Bolsonaro's anti-immigrant rhetoric on public attitudes toward immigration in Brazil. Analyzing official speeches, social media activity, newspaper interviews, and scholarly literature, the study uncovers a disparity between Bolsonaro’s limited focus on immigration in official settings and the explicit anti-immigrant sentiments disseminated online. Bolsonaro’s rhetoric, particularly on social media, framed immigrants as threats and rejected international agreements like the UN Global Compact for Migration. This study demonstrates how Bolsonaro's digital discourse significantly influenced societal perceptions, contributing to a heightened rejection of immigrants. These findings underscore the potency of online rhetoric in shaping public narratives and policy debates on immigration in contemporary Brazil.