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Zema and Gilmar Mendes exchange criticisms over accent and puppet representation

2 sources · 24 Apr 2026 · Share coverage ·

Presidential pre-candidate Romeu Zema and Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes intensified a public exchange of criticisms. Gilmar Mendes questioned how Zema would feel being represented by a puppet and criticized his accent, to which Zema responded by accusing the justice of prejudice.

The exchange of criticisms began when Zema posted a video on social media depicting STF justices as puppets, which led Gilmar Mendes to request the pre-candidate's inclusion in the fake news investigation. During an interview, the justice questioned how Zema would feel being represented by a puppet and criticized his accent, calling it a "dialect close to Portuguese".

1. What we know (2)

Zema posted a video portraying Supreme Court justices as puppets

2 sources Estado de Minas Band

Gilmar Mendes requested Zema's inclusion in the fake news investigation

2 sources Estado de Minas Band
2. Where coverage thins out (4)

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

Covered by only some sources (4)

Gilmar Mendes sent the fake news investigation to the Prosecutor General's Office

Reported by: Estado de Minas
Did not cover: Band

Zema was in Goiás visiting an industry and meeting with allies

Reported by: Band
Did not cover: Estado de Minas

Gilmar Mendes questioned how Zema would feel being represented by a homosexual puppet and compared it to being called a thief

Reported by: Estado de Minas
Did not cover: Band

Gilmar Mendes stated that Zema speaks a dialect close to Portuguese

Reported by: Band
Did not cover: Estado de Minas
3. What we don't know yet

No gaps declared — all sources converge on the material facts.

All sources

2