The borrowed brand
Kicker: Brazil has a thing for novelty candidates. There’s both an Obama and a Trump—“Plínio Trump,” sporting a blond swoosh of hair, an overlong tie, and American flags. This year’s ballot also includes “Mick Jagger,” “Tsunami Grandmother,” and “Samurai Taxi Driver.”
Plinio Vicentin Jr., who is running for federal lawmaker as "Plinio Trump" in the general election in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Associated Press / Photo by Silvia Izquierdo
Editor's note: The following text is a transcript of a podcast story. To listen to the story, click on the arrow beneath the headline above.
MARY REICHARD, HOST: Nope. Not Donald Trump.
This is a 59-year-old helicopter pilot running for Congress in Brazil as “Plínio Trump.”
He's got the hair. The long tie. American flags flying from his car.
The whole package.
PLINIO TRUMP: (Speaking in Portuguese)
He says most people he meets smile and hug him.
Plínio Trump comes from a long tradition of novelty candidates in Brazil.
This year’s ballot includes “Barack Obama”, “Mick Jagger”, “Tsunami Grandmother”, and “Samurai Taxi Driver.”
You know, some politicians spend years building name ID. In Brazil, you can just borrow it.
It’s The World and Everything in It.
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