Mendonça orders removal of false posts accusing Lula of burning the flag
Social media has 24 hours to remove posts; decision maintains criticism over how the president handled the national symbol
Minister André Mendonça of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has ordered social media to remove, within 24 hours, publications stating that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) threw the flag of Brazil on the ground after voting in the first round of elections. The accusation was found to be false by the magistrate, who pointed out that the images show the president returning the flag to a photographer.
The lawsuit was filed by Lula’s coalition against Pablo Marçal and accountants for profiles on X, TikTok, Threads, Instagram and Facebook. The publications questioned attributed to the president the gesture of kneading and throwing the national symbol on the ground after posing for photographs next to Geraldo Alckmin (PSB).
What the images show
The complete recording records Lula’s arrival at the polling place, the greetings to the messiahs and the moment he goes to the cabin. After voting, the president again greeted the tables and received a flag from a photographer. Afterwards, he posed next to Alckmin and returned the wrapped fabric to the professional.
In analyzing the material, Mendonça concluded that the images do not support the claims that Lula threw, threw or dropped the flag on the ground. According to the decision reported, the national symbol did not touch the floor during delivery.
Criticisms of handling have been maintained
The determination does not encompass all publications that criticize the episode. Mendonça denied the request to remove the contents that only state that the flag was hung or question the way the president held it and returned it.
The understanding presented is that it is up to voters to evaluate whether the handling was adequate or careless. In this way, the order distinguishes opinions on Lula’s behavior from the accusation considered false that he threw the flag on the ground.
The decision will be considered by the plenary.
The platforms were asked to comply with the determination, with a 24-hour deadline for the removal of the publications pointed to in the action. Those responsible for the profiles may present a defense.
The measure has a preliminary nature and will still be submitted to the referendum of the plenary of TSE, which may examine the case in a virtual session. Therefore, the determination of withdrawal was made at this initial stage of the process and still depends on the collegiate analysis.
