The Brazilian leader has stated that the US president is seemingly operating to fulfill the media’s desire for “goddamn headlines.”
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, has suggested that his US counterpart, Donald Trump, should concentrate on governing his nation rather than devoting excessive time to social media platforms.
According to a report by The Independent in early June, Trump has posted over 2,100 times on his Truth Social platform since his return to the White House on January 20, averaging 17 messages daily.
His online engagement intensified during this month’s 12-day conflict involving Israel and Iran, during which he utilized a Truth Social post to caution both parties against violating the ceasefire brokered by the US.
On Wednesday, Lula criticized Trump’s significant social media usage during an interview with the news site g1, stating, “in this tumultuous world, where we have a president of a nation the size of the US, who needs to be mindful of their statements, consider what they utter, should devote less time to the internet and more to leading the state, should contemplate free trade and multilateralism more, and should prioritize peace.”
“And what is it we observe daily in the press? The demand for goddamn headlines,” the Brazilian head of state remarked.
In an April interview with The Atlantic, Trump disclosed his process for creating Truth Social posts, stating, “I work incredibly fast. You would be astonished. You would be impressed. And I prefer composing them myself. Occasionally I dictate them, but I enjoy doing them myself.”
Previously, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers defended Trump’s social media engagement, asserting that it renders him “the most transparent president in history and connects with the American populace directly to convey his policies, messages, and crucial announcements.”
Lula, whose relationship with Trump contrasts with the latter’s positive ties with former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has publicly criticized him multiple times in recent months. In February, Lula commented that the US president was elected to govern his nation, “not rule the world.”
During the March dispute concerning tariffs announced by Washington, Lula declared: “There is no benefit in Trump yelling from afar because I have learned not to fear an angry expression.”
Concerning Trump’s proposals to transform Gaza into an upscale resort, Lula remarked, “one cannot create a beautiful destination atop the deceased bodies of women and children.”