Previously Noted for Outspoken Remarks
Directed an Expletive at Musk Ahead of Last Year's G20 Summit
There have been reports that Brazil's First Lady recently criticized the Chinese global video platform TikTok in front of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Citing reports from foreign media outlets such as Bloomberg and the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on May 20, it was reported that Rosangela da Silva, wife of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, pointed out the harmful effects of TikTok and the lack of content regulation during a banquet at the Brazil-China summit held in Beijing on May 13. It is said that da Silva requested to speak, even though it was not on the agenda, and made these remarks. Brazilian media outlet G1 reported that this was an action that even her aides did not anticipate. TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and First Lady Rosangela da Silva. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News
Specifically, da Silva reportedly stated that "TikTok encourages the spread of far-right forces in Brazil" and "is biased toward certain political factions." Local media described the atmosphere at the event as one of "embarrassment and discomfort." In particular, G1 reported that "Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, regarded the remarks as disrespectful to the president," and that there was criticism that da Silva's actions amounted to a "protocol incident." However, President Lula denied that such reactions took place at the event. President Lula explained, "Janjar (the First Lady's nickname) requested to speak to explain what is happening to women and children in Brazil," and added, "President Xi said that Brazil has the right to establish regulations. We need regulations."
Lula Outraged by Leak of Informal Conversation: "Betrayal by a Close Associate"
Meanwhile, President Lula also expressed regret that the informal conversation at the banquet was leaked. He emphasized, "It is strange that this issue was leaked to the media. Only our ministers were present at the banquet," and added, "Someone called the media and leaked a very private conversation from the dinner." According to the Brazilian daily Folha de S.Paulo, President Lula was reportedly angered by the leak and considered it "betrayal by a close associate." On May 19, da Silva indirectly referred to the incident while attending a roundtable on the eradication of youth sexual violence in Brasilia.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and First Lady Rosangela da Silva. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency
On that day, da Silva stated, "At any moment, I will speak when I have something to say," and added, "Even if there are diplomatic protocols, no one can make me remain silent when I have the opportunity to speak with someone." Brazilian media outlet G1 pointed out that da Silva "indirectly revisited the situation at the time and directly responded to criticism surrounding the protocol incident." According to SCMP, President Xi has not commented publicly on the controversy, and Chinese state media have not covered the issue. Instead, it has been reported that TikTok's Brazil office sent a letter to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that it "acknowledges the positions of President Lula and Janjar" and is "open to dialogue."
Meanwhile, da Silva has previously drawn attention for her outspoken remarks. After falling victim to an X hacking incident in 2023, she made headlines at an event ahead of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro last year by directing an English expletive beginning with "F" at Elon Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla. In response, Musk retorted, "They (Lula) will lose the next election."
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