#Bolsominion (pronounced “bol-soh-mee-nee-OWN”) is derogatory Portuguese term combining “Bolsonaro” with “minion” (from Despicable Me animated characters), used by left-wing Brazilians to mock supporters of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022). The hashtag became central to Brazil’s toxic political polarization, with Bolsonaristas embracing the label ironically while opponents used it pejoratively.
The 2018 Election Polarization
Jair Bolsonaro’s rise from fringe congressman to president (2018) created unprecedented Brazilian political division. His supporters—evangelical Christians, military, agribusiness, middle-class anti-PT voters—mobilized through WhatsApp and social media. Opponents coined #Bolsominion to describe what they saw as blind, cultish following.
The term referenced perceived characteristics: sharing fake news uncritically, defending Bolsonaro despite scandals, attacking any criticism as “communist,” and spreading conspiracy theories. Left-wing users employed #Bolsominion the way U.S. liberals use “MAGA cultist”—dismissing political opponents as irrational fanatics.
Ironic Appropriation
Like Trump supporters embracing “deplorable,” many Bolsonaristas ironically adopted #Bolsominion, using it in bios and posts with pride. They reclaimed the insult as badge of loyalty, demonstrating that mockery can backfire by strengthening in-group identity.
The hashtag became linguistic battlefield where same word meant different things depending on user—insult for opponents, ironic badge for supporters. This semantic war exemplified Brazil’s inability to find common political language.
COVID-19 Amplification
During pandemic, #Bolsominion intensified as Bolsonaro downplayed COVID-19 (“little flu”), promoted hydroxychloroquine, opposed lockdowns, and delayed vaccine purchases. As Brazil’s death toll exceeded 680,000, opponents used #Bolsominion to blame supporters for enabling deadly policies.
The hashtag documented Bolsonarista rallies without masks, anti-vaccine sentiment, and denial of COVID severity. Opposition viewed these positions as evidence of “minion” irrationality. Meanwhile, Bolsonaristas accused opponents of exaggerating pandemic to undermine president.
Legacy After Bolsonaro
After Bolsonaro’s narrow 2022 election loss to Lula, #Bolsominion continued as Bolsonaristas refused to accept results, staging highway blockades and January 8, 2023 Brasília insurrection (Brazil’s January 6). The hashtag documented attempted coup and subsequent arrests.
Post-Bolsonaro, the term persists as descriptor of Brazil’s enduring political divide. Even out of power, Bolsonarismo remains movement, with #Bolsominion marking its adherents—now in opposition but no less committed.
The hashtag represents Brazil’s political degradation from policy disagreements to identity warfare, where opponents aren’t wrong but evil, and compromise becomes betrayal.
Sources: The Guardian Brazil politics, Human Rights Watch Bolsonaro era, Folha de S.Paulo polarization analysis