Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has openly criticised former U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy approach, particularly regarding his stance on Gaza.

Luiz made this known during a radio interview on Thursday.

Lula emphasised that while he respects Trump’s election, the former U.S. leader should focus on domestic governance rather than attempting to exert control over global affairs., Brazilian newspaper Folha De S.Paulo reports.

“Trump was elected to govern the United States, not to rule the world,” Lula stated during an interview with Bahia-based radio stations Metrópole and Sociedade.

His comments were a direct response to Trump’s controversial proposal to remove Palestinians from Gaza, a plan that has sparked widespread international condemnation.

Lula underscored the importance of fostering “democratic and civilised relations with the rest of the world,” highlighting the need for global cooperation and respect for sovereignty. He also expressed concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals, particularly in the realm of global communications.

Without explicitly naming billionaire Elon Musk, Lula appeared to criticise the tech mogul’s growing influence in global affairs, particularly during Trump’s administration.

Musk, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, has faced scrutiny for his role in shaping public discourse through his ownership of major communication platforms.

“What cannot happen is for us to think that a businessman can own global communications and speak ill of the world all the time, interfering in countries’ elections,” Lula warned.

His remarks reflect broader concerns about the potential for concentrated power to undermine democratic processes worldwide.