Carlos Bolsonaro insults Romeu Zema on X

Carlos Bolsonaro, a former Rio de Janeiro councilor, insulted Romeu Zema on X on May 16, 2026 ^[1].

The public clash highlights growing instability among right-wing political alliances in Brazil as candidates prepare for upcoming electoral cycles.

The conflict began when Romeu Zema, the former governor of Minas Gerais and member of the Novo party, criticized Flávio Bolsonaro. During a Novo party state meeting in Belo Horizonte, Zema targeted Flávio Bolsonaro's professional and personal associations. Specifically, Zema said that Flávio Bolsonaro has a connection with former banker Daniel Vorcaro and that this association compromises Flávio's candidacy.

Zema said that providing support to Flávio Bolsonaro is equivalent to delivering the election to the opposition. In response to these comments, Carlos Bolsonaro posted a message on X on May 16 ^[1]. He wrote, "Estou para conhecer sujeito mais baixo," which translates to saying he has yet to meet a lower individual.

This exchange follows a pattern of friction between the Bolsonaro family and the Novo party. While the two entities have previously aligned on conservative policy goals, the personal nature of these attacks suggests a deeper rift regarding candidate viability. Reports indicate that the tension between Carlos Bolsonaro and Zema continued through May 24, 2026, as the two sides struggled to find common ground following the initial insult ^[2].

The dispute centers on the perceived liability of Daniel Vorcaro. Zema's assertion that supporting Flávio is "entregar a eleição" indicates a strategic belief that certain associations can alienate the broader electorate. Carlos Bolsonaro's reaction reflects the family's tendency to defend their political brand through aggressive social media engagement.