On Friday, January 26th, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes threatened Jair Bolsonaro with imprisonment for violating a social media ban. The ban, imposed after allegations of planning a coup against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, prohibits Bolsonaro from using social media directly or indirectly. Moraes ordered Bolsonaro to wear an ankle bracelet and gave his lawyers 24 hours to explain why a video of a speech he gave to news outlets was subsequently circulated on social media by his allies. The judge clarified on Monday, January 29th, that the ban includes the use of third parties, sparking debate about whether the ban should extend to news interviews.

Bolsonaro's speech was recorded on Friday after he appeared in Congress, displaying his ankle monitor. The video was shared on social media not by Bolsonaro himself, but by his sons and political allies. Justice Moraes stated he believed Bolsonaro intended for the speech to be disseminated on social media. Separately, Bolsonaro's son Eduardo Bolsonaro, a congressman currently in Washington, D.C., claimed the Supreme Court froze his assets.

Impact Statement: The ruling further escalates tensions in Brazil's political landscape and raises questions about freedom of speech and the scope of social media bans for public figures.