Bolsonaro Supporters Flood Sao Paulo Ahead of Coup Trial

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro saw a massive display of fan support when his followers gathered on Paulista Avenue of Sao Paulo on Sunday April 6, 2025 while he awaited his upcoming trial. Brazil's Supreme Court made this decision shortly after the court decided to prosecute Bolsonaro on charges of trying to stage a coup following his electoral loss to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2022. If found guilty, Bolsonaro could be looking at years behind bars, and that possibility has fired up his followers.

Bolsonaro recently encouraged Brazilian citizens to attend rallies after residents avoided his last beachside demonstration in Rio. His backers turned out in great numbers during this event while displaying Brazilian flags and demanding freedom for those who participated in Brasília's government building attack on January 8th. Thousands of Bolsonaro fans participated in an attempted coup plot by marching into three crucial political buildings during the chaotic attack on January 8th.

The former president, who can’t run for office again until 2030 because he questioned Brazil’s voting system, still stirs strong feelings. His fans believe the trial is a political hit job, while his critics say it’s about protecting democracy. There’s even a bill in Congress to forgive the 2023 rioters, and Bolsonaro says it has enough backing to pass the lower house,  a move that could spark more unrest.

Officials haven’t said how many people showed up, but the rally proves Bolsonaro still has a big following despite his legal troubles. As Brazil heads toward the trial later this year, the event shows just how split the country is. For his supporters, it’s about defending their leader; for others, it’s a warning of how fragile democracy can be. With the Supreme Court’s ruling on the horizon, Sao Paulo’s streets have turned into a stage for Brazil’s ongoing political drama.