Brazil: President Jair Bolsonaro Grappled With a Heckler and Tried to Take His Phone

As Brazil's presidential election campaigns heat up, President Jair Bolsonaro has reportedly grappled with a heckler and tried to snatch his phone.

The official campaign period in one of South America's largest democracies kicked off Tuesday. But two days after, an incident surrounding the current president and reelectionist Bolsonaro, known for his hot temper, happened in front of his home.

According to the Associated Press, Bolsonaro was speaking to his supporters outside his residence in Brasilia on Thursday when social media influencer Wilker Leão, a prominent critic of the administration, started heckling him.

Leão called him a "coward" and a "bum," as well as the "darling" of the Congress' pork-barrel faction. Bolsonaro seemed to ignore the social media influencer at first and went inside his car. However, the former military officer turned president suddenly reemerged and grabbed Leão's shirt and forearm while trying to grab the influencer's cellphone.

Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro Asks Supporters Not to Film Incident, Spoke with Heckler After Tussle

Jair Bolsonaro seemed aware that the incident could cast a bad light upon him ahead of the elections. As Wilker Leão was being pulled away by presidential security, the Brazilian president asked his supporters not to film the incident, saying "Don't film this, don't film this."

He noted that Leão has a right to protest. However, he said the social media influencer was "being impolite."

Leão was held by presidential security following the scuffle.

While he asked his followers not to film the incident, Brazilian news channel G1 managed to publish a video of the altercation.

A few minutes after the altercation, Bolsonaro security allowed Leão to return to the scene. He even chatted with Bolsonaro face to face, with the president telling him, "You can talk to me as much as you want."

According to the Washington Post, the two were able to talk about politics for about five minutes. They have spoken a few times before, without incident.

Jair Bolsonaro's Confrontations Against the Media in Brazil Could Go Against Him

Jair Bolsonaro is currently trailing behind challenger and former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva by a wide margin in the polls.

According to analysts, Bolsonaro's hot-headedness and confrontations with the media are not helping him get more votes.

According to Medley Advisors senior Brazil analyst Mario Sergio Lima, the incident might hurt Bolsonaro in the long run. He said the president needs a "positive tone" to his campaign at the moment, and this altercation could affect what he was trying to achieve.

Lima told the AP that it showed a lack of restraint, and it was likely that his opponents will use the incident against him. The president is often called the Donald Trump of the Tropics for his Trump-style rhetoric and tactics.

Jair Bolsonaro previously threatened to punch a journalist in the face and threatened to shoot members of the Workers' Party. At a recent visit to the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, it was also reported that he was so upset with journalists questioning him that his security team had to calm him down.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: El Encontronazo De Jair Bolsonaro Con El Youtuber Wilker Leao - From El Pais