Lula defends son amid lobbying scandal in TV interview

In Brazil on 28 August 2026, President Lula defended his son Lulinha in an interview on TV Globo, ahead of the election. Lula called the accusations 'ilações' (conjecture), said Lulinha will prove his innocence, and denied shielding him. He said it is 'totally wrong' that Marcola received funds from a lobbyist.

Lula had said the lobbyist was never beside him, but Roberta Luchsinger posted photos with the president. Lula said a photo with her does not mean a 'personal relationship', and his campaign said the photos do not prove a relationship. The opposition circulated the photos. Flávio Bolsonaro met bankers and businesspeople in São Paulo, and Lula campaigned in Bahia.