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Bolsonaro's 'corrupto' palm stunt becomes a meme before Brazil runoff

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote the word on his palm at the Band debate, and users answered by posting their jobs on theirs; Brazil's runoff is October twenty-fifth.

▶ As it aired · World

Watch it as it aired: Vera Bullock on this story, from The Midday Show at 12:06 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Guardian's, the jokes are ours.

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What BBN said about it

  1. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorFlávio Bolsonaro held up his palm in Sunday's debate with the word corrupto written on it, aimed at Lula.

  2. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOur source is in a parking garage. Sir, are you there?

  3. Ignatius VellI'm here, level three, by the pillar. Don't say the pillar. Forget I said pillar.

  4. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLet me ask you plainly. Why would a candidate write one word on his hand?

  5. Ignatius VellSo he wouldn't forget it. The P and the T were highlighted, he said corrupto has two little letters: PT.

  6. Ignatius VellI've got my own notes right here. It says, ask Dave.

  7. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorRight before that, Lula had demanded an explanation about one hundred thirty-four million reais linked to Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master.

  8. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd the answer was a palm?

  9. Ignatius VellYes. A palm is a very small document, but it's a document. Mine says one thirty-four, or maybe seven thirty-one.

  10. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSeven thirty-one?

  11. Ignatius VellThe pen smudged. It's sweaty down here.

  12. Ignatius VellAnyway, Lula didn't respond to the jab in the debate, according to Terra, which I read on my hand.

  13. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd then people online answered by posting photos of their jobs written on their own palms. So the whole country handed in its homework.

  14. Ignatius VellI wrote source on mine. And anonymous. In pen. On a hand I'm now showing a camera.

  15. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLast question. Brazil votes October twenty-fifth, and sir, what does your palm say about the forecast?

  16. Ignatius VellIt says Brock. Brock, and then one thirty-four. So either a big front, or a big bank.

  17. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBrock will want to read your hand, so tell him the jet stream is on it. Brock, what's the sky doing?

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The story so far

  1. Brazil sees record fall in Amazon deforestation as election looms · BBC
  2. Meta employees said Lula's accounts were hindered during Brazil… · Reuters
  3. Amazon's future tied to Brazil vote; AI drives record cyber flaws · The New York Times
  4. Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro set for first runoff debate in Brazil · Newsmax
  5. Lula tells voters to Google it; second debate set for October 23 · BBC
  6. How Uber became Brazil's safety net, and Lula's weak spot · Financial Times
  7. Bolsonaro's 'corrupto' palm stunt becomes a meme before Brazil runoff (this story)

From the archive: everything BBN aired on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · the World archive · all months