MINAS GERAIS, Brazil—A Donald Trump impersonator entered Brazil’s election with blond hair, an extra-long tie, a vintage Pontiac and the unshakable confidence of a man who had already won every mirror he walked past.
He left with 161 votes.
Plínio Vicentin Júnior, a 59-year-old commercial helicopter pilot who ran for federal deputy as “Plínio Trump,” was not elected Sunday. His official result was roughly the population of a wedding where the bride’s father said, “Invite whoever you want,” and immediately regretted it.
The Associated Press reported that Plínio Trump was part of Brazil’s long tradition of joke and celebrity-themed candidates. This year’s ballot also featured Henrique Barack Obama, Mick Jagger, Samurai Taxi Driver, Tsunami Grandmother and a candidate called Who Who—finally giving voters a choice between political platforms and the autocomplete suggestions from a sleep-deprived streaming service.
Make the motorcade compact again
Plínio Trump campaigned with the familiar hair, orange tie, mannerisms and a 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville. The car alone may have had a larger caucus, assuming the trunk contained a spare tire and two campaign volunteers.
Brazilian elections have accommodated theatrical candidates for decades. In 1959, about 100,000 voters wrote in Cacareco, a rhinoceros at São Paulo’s zoo. In 2010, the professional clown Tiririca won more than 1.3 million votes and went on to serve four terms in Congress, proving that politics will tolerate a clown provided he declares it on the paperwork.
The joke is not entirely decorative. Brazil uses proportional representation, so votes for a novelty candidate can help a party’s overall total, influence seats and affect public funding. Every gag arrives with a spreadsheet attached.
Plínio Trump’s campaign is now expected to enter the traditional transition phase: lowering the tie, parking the Pontiac and telling 161 people they are the real silent majority.