In a notable incident during a G20 social event on November 16, 2024, Brazil’s First Lady, Janja Lula da Silva, publicly insulted Elon Musk while discussing the regulation of social media to combat misinformation. She humorously suggested that the sound of a ship's horn was Musk, using a swear word to emphasize her lack of fear towards him [55b68978]. This moment reflects the ongoing tensions between Musk and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration, particularly following the Brazilian Supreme Court's decision to block access to X earlier in 2024 due to Musk's non-compliance with court orders regarding disinformation [ffe395f4].
The friction between Musk and the Brazilian government has been palpable, especially after Janja threatened to sue X last year when her account was hacked. Musk, known for his provocative responses, reacted to Janja's remarks with a laughing emoji and predicted that Lula's camp would lose the upcoming presidential election in 2026 [55b68978].
President Lula later commented on the situation, advising that they should not offend or curse anyone, indicating a desire to maintain a level of decorum despite the ongoing disputes [55b68978]. As the G20 summit approaches on November 18-19, 2024, the dynamics between Musk and Brazilian officials continue to unfold, raising questions about the future of social media regulation and political discourse in the country [55b68978].