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Brazil’s Communications Chief Tells PT to Shun Edited Lula Images After Viral Beach Memes

The directive reflects a strategy to address attacks over Lula’s age by highlighting real fitness alongside experience.

Overview

  • First Lady Janja Lula da Silva published photos of President Lula shirtless on a Rio beach that quickly spread across X and Instagram.
  • AI-altered montages exaggerated Lula’s musculature, circulating as jokes and fueling comparisons to former president Jair Bolsonaro.
  • Carlos Bolsonaro posted on X accusing left-leaning outlets of spreading fake news and criticized the Supreme Federal Court for not reacting.
  • A 2019 shirtless photo of Carlos Bolsonaro resurfaced with renewed claims of editing to slim his physique, and he has not commented as the image remains on his Instagram.
  • Secom minister Sidônio Palmeira instructed PT figures to avoid making Lula look younger with edits, as the Planalto views such AI-enhanced images as counterproductive while continuing to showcase the president’s actual exercise routine.