WorldWORLD WATCH
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.
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.
At a glance
- First reported by The Guardian: “Flavio Bolsonaro’s ‘corrupto’ stunt sparks viral meme before Brazil election runoff”, with reporting from Poder360, Terra, Chico Alencar on X and Amazonas1.
- Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 12:06 PM ET on The Midday Show, by Vera Bullock.
- Topics: Flavio Bolsonaro, Brazil.
- BBN covered this story before: How Uber became Brazil's safety net, and Lula's weak spot (October 20).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- The GuardianFlavio Bolsonaro’s ‘corrupto’ stunt sparks viral meme before Brazil election runoff
- Poder360Flávio pede que Lula escreva “corrupto” durante debate October 18, 2026 · facts used on air
- TerraFlávio Bolsonaro faz cola na mão com a palavra 'corrupto' no debate da Band e provoca Lula October 18, 2026 · facts used on air
- Chico Alencar on XChico Alencar ☀️ on X: "A provocação de Flávio Bolsonaro durante o debate com Lula - ele exibiu a palma da mão com a palavra “corrupto” - acabou virando meme na October 19, 2026 · facts used on air
- Amazonas1Gesto de Flávio Bolsonaro vira meme e provoca trend nas redes sociais October 18, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it

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

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOur source is in a parking garage. Sir, are you there?
Ignatius VellI'm here, level three, by the pillar. Don't say the pillar. Forget I said pillar.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLet me ask you plainly. Why would a candidate write one word on his hand?
Ignatius VellSo he wouldn't forget it. The P and the T were highlighted, he said corrupto has two little letters: PT.
Ignatius VellI've got my own notes right here. It says, ask Dave.

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.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd the answer was a palm?
Ignatius VellYes. A palm is a very small document, but it's a document. Mine says one thirty-four, or maybe seven thirty-one.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSeven thirty-one?
Ignatius VellThe pen smudged. It's sweaty down here.
Ignatius VellAnyway, Lula didn't respond to the jab in the debate, according to Terra, which I read on my hand.

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

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLast question. Brazil votes October twenty-fifth, and sir, what does your palm say about the forecast?
Ignatius VellIt says Brock. Brock, and then one thirty-four. So either a big front, or a big bank.

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?
More Shorts
All videos →The story so far
- Brazil sees record fall in Amazon deforestation as election looms · BBC
- Meta employees said Lula's accounts were hindered during Brazil… · Reuters
- Amazon's future tied to Brazil vote; AI drives record cyber flaws · The New York Times
- Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro set for first runoff debate in Brazil · Newsmax
- Lula tells voters to Google it; second debate set for October 23 · BBC
- How Uber became Brazil's safety net, and Lula's weak spot · Financial Times
- 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

Photo: Neil Theasby · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Reliance Industries · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: AceYYC · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: U. S. Embassy & Consulate in Greece · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN