Reuters reports:
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro claimed on Friday that Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio financed fires being set in the Amazon rainforest, without presenting any evidence, the right-wing leader’s latest broadside in casting blame over forest fires that have generated international concern.
Bolsonaro appeared to be commenting on social media postings claiming that the environmental organization the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had paid for images taken by volunteer firefighters that it then supposedly used to solicit donations, including a $500,000 contribution from DiCaprio.
The WWF has denied receiving a donation from DiCaprio or obtaining photos from the firefighters. “This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon,” Bolsonaro said on Friday during brief remarks in front of the presidential residence.
DiCaprio also says he has never donated to the WWF.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro says DiCaprio gave cash ‘to set Amazon on fire’ https://t.co/3asi5Dfw1I
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 30, 2019
“Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, isn’t he? Giving money to set the Amazon on fire.”
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro accused the Hollywood actor of paying for the Amazon fires, without offering proof pic.twitter.com/Uc2xM252rK
— Bloomberg TicToc (@TicToc) November 30, 2019
#DiCaprio says Brazilian nonprofits targeted by local police over Amazon fires are “worthy of funding”, but denies sending $$ to any of them. Bolsonaro had earlier accused him of funding NGOs that he claims set rainforest on fire, but offered no proof. https://t.co/srLVwJl5tk
— Diane Jeantet (@dianejeantet) November 30, 2019
The Bolsonaro family – including the President – is blaming Leonardo DiCaprio for the Amazon fires, claiming (falsely, needless to say) that pro-environment NGOs he funds started the fires on purpose. They have a huge disinformation network spreading this https://t.co/qZgYkew3Pv
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) November 29, 2019