“[Joesley’s] idea is to use precisely the fact that there is an ongoing election [in Brazil] as an argument, and that this could represent, in the eyes of Brazilian voters, interference in the electoral process,” said journalist Cláudio Dantas, who obtained the information from sources inside the Palácio do Planalto. “Because it would be a gesture toward one of the candidates, while the other is the President of the Republic.”

“There is already a reaction, even a certain discomfort, regarding the situation as a whole,” Dantas said. “Because, in fact, if Trump receives [the senator], he knows he will hear complaints. But if he doesn’t receive him, it will also look bad.”