by Mike Benz, July 9, 2025, x.com/MikeBenzCyber
https://tinyurl.com/2p5eyd9e
INCREDIBLE! Trump just put 50% tariffs on the digital censor-state of Lula’s Brazil, specifically citing its censorship orders and insane fines against US social media companies for allowing free speech. This is Free Speech Diplomacy and defense of digital trade in one. Bravo 🙌


Suzi: More 5D Chess?
- Trump’s announcement is in response to Brazil’s Supreme Court issuing over 200 secret censorship orders since 2022, fining U.S. social media firms up to $2.5 million daily for non-compliance, a move backed by a 2023 study in the Journal of Democracy highlighting Brazil’s judicial overreach in digital regulation.
- Lula is currently going after Bolsonaro for questioning the stolen election of 2022, and has also barred him from running for office until 2030.
- Could it also be that Trump is recognizing an election and lawfare pattern in Brazil that also played out here in the U.S., and in a strikingly similar fashion? It’s time for The People’s Voice all over the world to be the One that’s honored.
- Bolsonaro has consistently aligned himself with Trump, being affectionately named “Trump of the Tropics” by Anons. During his presidency (2019–2022), he praised Trump’s foreign policy, saluted the American flag at a 2017 rally in Miami, and expressed a desire to strengthen U.S.-Brazil ties. Trump values loyalty, and rewards it in kind.
- Lula is responding to the letter as one might expect, basically saying it’s nobody’s business how things go in Brazil, and that he’ll match whatever tariffs are imposed by Trump. Of course, he defends the persecution of his very popular predecessor and rival, Jair Bolsonaro.
