The term emerged during Bolsonaro's2018 presidential campaign.[4] It is often used by critics to describe his supporters, while some supporters reject the term, viewing it as derogatory and arguing it misrepresents their motivations, which include addressingcorruption, supporting traditionalfamily values, advocatingfree-market economics, and strengtheninglaw enforcement measures.[5] Analysts note that the term's use reflects Brazil'spolitical polarisation, where rhetorical terms are employed by various groups to frame political opponents.[6]
The term "bolsominion" is usually invoked in critical or humorous contexts to describe individuals portrayed as ardent backers of Bolsonaro's leadership and agenda, often associated withconservative andpopulist principles.[7] Detractors depict such supporters as aligned withfar-right positions, including advocacy of greatermilitary influence in governance, opposition to progressive social policies, and support for conservative norms ineducation,ethics, andpublic safety.[8] Proponents counter that such portrayals overlook the movement's emphasis onnational sovereignty,economic reform, andanti-establishment sentiment against entrenched political elites.
In digital discussions, exchanges of political insults between Bolsonaro's allies and opponents are frequent. Supporters may use terms such as "esquerdopata" ("pathologicalleftist") to denounce rivals, while critics respond with "direitopata" ("pathologicalrightist").[9] Commentators have also noted affinities between parts of Bolsonaro's constituency and the base of former U.S. presidentDonald Trump, citing shared populist themes.[10]
Many in the movement prefer self-identifiers such as "bolsonaristas" or "patriots," rejecting "bolsominion" as a construct ofmainstream media used to disparage their patriotic motivations.[11] Surveys suggest Bolsonaro continues to command significant popular support, highlighting the resilience of his platform despite ongoing controversies.[12]
The term has appeared in political commentary and popular media. In 2019, federal deputyEduardo Bolsonaro, one of Jair's sons, hosted aDespicable Me Minions-themed birthday party, which media outlets interpreted as a playful reference to the "bolsominion" label.[13]
After Bolsonaro's presidency, the term continued to surface in coverage of events such as the2023 Brasília protests, where demonstrators contested alleged electoral irregularities.[14] Critics employ it to frame such mobilisation as extremist, while defenders argue it illustrates media bias against conservative voices.[15]
Silveira, Letícia Pena (2018)."Memes: a ostentação de neologismos e uma ferramenta de ensino".Revista GTLex.4 (1):79–97.doi:10.14393/Lex7-v4n1a2018-5.ISSN2447-9551.Dessa forma, um bolsominion seria aquela pessoa que é servo, criado de Bolsonaro, aquele que o apoia e a todas as suas ações. Nesse caso, considera-se cruzamento lexical por hibridismo pelo fato de haver a junção de uma palavra do vernáculo e outra do inglês.
