Brazilian Supporters Rally to Thank Elon Musk Amid Legal Troubles and Free Speech Debate

Thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro gathered at a rally in Rio de Janeiro to express their admiration for Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. The event took place amid legal challenges faced by both Musk and Bolsonaro in Brazil.

Rally in Rio de Janeiro

The rally, held at Copacabana beach, attracted a large crowd of Bolsonaro's loyal followers, who displayed a giant sign expressing gratitude to Musk for his actions. The CEO has been embroiled in a dispute with Brazil's Supreme Court over issues related to free speech and the dissemination of fake news through social media.

Musk's Stance

Musk, known for his stance on free speech, has refused to comply with a high court justice's order to remove certain accounts accused of spreading disinformation. Taking to his newly acquired social platform, X, Musk accused Justice Alexandre de Moraes of infringing on free speech rights and violating the country's constitution. He also suggested that users could use VPNs to circumvent any potential shutdown of the platform.

Support for Musk

Several speakers at the rally voiced their support for Musk, emphasizing the importance of preserving freedom of speech. Pro-Bolsonaro congressman Gustavo Gayer lauded Musk and the rally attendees as defenders of liberty who are unwilling to succumb to dictatorship.

Bolsonaro's Remarks

Former President Bolsonaro commended Musk for his bravery in the face of what he described as censorship by Justice de Moraes. Bolsonaro himself is under investigation for various alleged offenses, including involvement in attempts to overturn election results and plotting a coup against his successor.