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Flávio Bolsonaro meets with Trump about criminal factions; White House doesn't post

9 sources · 28 May 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press ? no verbatim passage

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) met Tuesday (26) with Donald Trump in the White House Oval Office to request that the United States classify PCC and Comando Vermelho as terrorist organizations. Trump said he was "still analyzing the issue" and made no promises, according to the congressman.

Press quotes (1)
Estado de Minas

"Flávio afirmou que o principal motivo para a reunião foi para pedir que o republicano designe as facções criminosas, CV e PCC, como terroristas. Ao tratar do assunto com Trump, ele disse que ainda estava analisando a questão e não fez promessas ao senador."

During the conversation, Trump repeated praise for President Lula, calling him "dynamic" — the same expression he had used publicly after meeting with the PT politician three weeks earlier in May. "President Trump commented on the meeting with President Lula. He praised his dynamism," Figueiredo confirmed. ?

Press quotes (2)
Folha

"Nem a Casa Branca nem o presidente Donald Trump postaram fotos ou fizeram publicações sobre o encontro do senador Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) com o mandatário americano no Salão Oval, na terça-feira (26). O silêncio sobre a reunião é atípico."

Folha

"No ano passado, quando Trump se reuniu no Salão Oval com o então candidato à presidência da Polônia, Karol Nawrocki, a conta da Casa Branca no X postou duas fotos do encontro. Outros candidatos apoiados por Trump foram tema de publicações na conta do presidente americano na rede social Truth Social."

The following day (27), Flávio met at the State Department with Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau and counselor Darren Beattie, responsible for relations with Brazil. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, did not participate because he was in a cabinet meeting. The agenda included bilateral cooperation and the urgency of classifying Brazilian factions as terrorists, according to the senator's entourage.

Press quotes (2)
Folha

"Os dois se reuniram na Casa Branca há três semanas. Após o encontro, Trump fez publicação na Truth Social chamando Lula de "dinâmico" e classificando a reunião de "muito produtiva"

Estado de Minas

"O presidente Trump comentou, sim, sobre o encontro com o presidente Lula. Elogiou seu dinamismo, mas também fez outros comentários que prefiro manter reservados", disse ele à reportagem."

1. What we know (2)

Flávio Bolsonaro asked Trump to classify PCC and CV as terrorist organizations

4 sources Estado de Minas G1 Gazeta do Povo NSC Total

Trump made no promises about terrorist designation

2 sources Estado de Minas G1
2. Where coverage thins out (3)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (2)

Trump asked about Jair Bolsonaro's prison conditions

Did not cover: Estado de Minas G1 Folha NSC Total

Flávio met with JD Vance about freedom of expression

Reported by: A Gazeta Money Times iG
Did not cover: Estado de Minas Folha G1

Conflicting versions (1)

Status of documentation for terrorist designation of PCC and CV in American government

1 source — "State Department prepared documentation and designations were approved by other agencies, awaiting only Congressional notification": Brazilian Media, via Risk Advisory
1 source — "State Department denies anticipating terrorist designations, stating it does not deliberate on such classifications": U.s. State Department, via Risk Advisory
3. What we don't know yet (4)
  • Why didn't the White House officially disclose the meeting with Flávio Bolsonaro?

    Why it's still unknown: The official silence contrasts with disclosures of other similar presidential meetings, but no explanation was offered by American authorities.

    Did not cover: Whitehouse
  • What was Marco Rubio's specific position on the terrorist classification of Brazilian factions?

    Why it's still unknown: Flávio said Rubio was "more favorable to the designation," but details of the conversation were not revealed.

  • What other comments did Trump make about Lula that Paulo Figueiredo preferred to keep private?

    Why it's still unknown: Figueiredo said Trump made "other comments" about Lula beyond praising his dynamism, but refused to reveal the content.

  • What is the current status of the PCC and CV terrorist designation process in the American government?

    Why it's still unknown: March reports indicated documentation was prepared, but the State Department denied anticipation of designations. Current situation remains undefined.

All sources

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