Flávio Bolsonaro Mimics Father, Brings Written Notes to Globo Interview

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, currently a presidential candidate for the Liberal Party (PL), employed a tactic reminiscent of his father's past campaigns during a recent interview with Globo. Bolsonaro was observed with handwritten notes on his left hand during the televised discussion, featuring words such as 'change,' 'future,' and '7/Set.' These inscriptions appeared to serve as mnemonic aids, intended to guide his responses and ensure specific topics were addressed.

The interview, conducted on August 28, 2026, by prominent anchors Renata Vasconcellos and César Tralli, saw Bolsonaro follow in the footsteps of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. During the 2022 election campaign, Jair Bolsonaro famously used similar handwritten notes on his palm during debates and interviews. On one occasion, he had words like 'Nicaragua,' 'Argentina,' 'Colombia,' and 'Dario Messer' written on his hand, ostensibly as reminders for discussion points, though not all were subsequently addressed in his remarks.

This latest instance of Flávio Bolsonaro using 'cheat sheets' during a high-profile interview has drawn comparisons to his father's previous methods. While such notes can serve as a tool to keep candidates focused on key messages and policy points, their public display can also raise questions about preparedness and reliance on prompts during critical political discussions. The effectiveness and perception of this tactic remain a subject of public and media attention.