Sky News reports:
A Bolsonaro supporter posted a Facebook meme mocking the appearance of Brigitte Macron, 66, and comparing her unfavourably with Brazil’s first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, 37, along with the caption: “Now you understand why Macron is persecuting Bolsonaro?”
Mr Bolsonaro responded: “Do not humiliate the guy, hahaha.” Asked about the comment at the G7 summit in Biarritz, Mr Macron, 41, said it was “extremely disrespectful” and “sad”.
“It’s sad, it’s sad first of all for him and for Brazilians,” he said. “Brazilian women are probably feeling ashamed of their president. “Since I have a lot of esteem and respect for the people of Brazil, I hope they will very soon have a president who is up to the job.”
The Washington Post reports:
The comment quickly went viral in both the French and Brazilian media, with widespread criticism of Bolsonaro’s remarks. Felipe Neto, a popular Brazilian comedian, called the remarks disgusting and pathetic.
French news agency Agence France-Presse reports that a spokesman for Brazil’s presidential palace declined to comment on whether Bolsonaro had written the response himself.
Although the initial comment that sparked the row appeared to have been deleted, a number of similar posts remain on Bolsonaro’s Facebook page.
“It’s sad first and foremost for him and the Brazilians”
Macron hits back at Bolsonaro after the Brazilian president endorsed a social media post insulting the French First Lady #G7Biarritz pic.twitter.com/P7f7eyeb9o
— Bloomberg TicToc (@tictoc) August 26, 2019
Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro has tweeted that the country cannot accept Emmanuel Macron’s “improper” and “wanton” attacks on the Amazon and has accused the French president of disguising his intentions
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) August 26, 2019
Yesterday a @jairbolsonaro supporter posted a meme mocking the appearance of Brigitte Macron and comparing her unfavourably with #Brazil first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, with the tagline: “Now you understand why Macron is persecuting Bolsonaro?” pic.twitter.com/px3tvoZ2SL
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 26, 2019