President Donald Trump said Saturday that Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro is welcome to remain in the United States for as long as he wants after the conservative politician left Brazil following his defeat in the country's presidential election.

Speaking with reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said he had no plans to meet with Bolsonaro but criticized the treatment he received in Brazil and questioned the legitimacy of the election.

"No plans to meet, but I think he got treated very shabbily. Very shabbily. So, he can stay here as long as he wants," Trump said. He also described the Brazilian election as "a disgrace."

Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, arrived in Miami with his family on Wednesday, October 28, after losing the presidential runoff to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. His departure came amid legal scrutiny in Brazil, where authorities are investigating allegations involving money laundering and financial misconduct.

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice had ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passport after authorities raised concerns that he could flee the country. Despite the restrictions, the senator traveled through Argentina and Ecuador before reaching Florida. Reports indicated that a private aircraft was used for the journey, with questions emerging over whether individuals connected to Trump's political circle helped arrange the trip.

Bolsonaro was admitted to the United States under humanitarian parole, a temporary immigration authorization that generally allows recipients to remain in the country for a limited period. The authorization reportedly permits him to stay through October 2027. Trump's public statement that Bolsonaro can remain as long as he wishes does not itself change the terms of his immigration status or grant him permanent residency.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the controversy Saturday during a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta, Georgia. Rubio denied that the U.S. government had arranged Bolsonaro's departure from Brazil, saying Washington was not directly involved in the travel arrangements.

"We didn't facilitate anything," Rubio told reporters. He explained that Bolsonaro had previously held a U.S. visa and that President Trump made the decision to allow him to enter the country.

However, reports have identified White House official Jason Miller as someone who helped organize the Brazilian senator's journey to the United States. The circumstances surrounding the trip have raised questions in Brazil, particularly because Bolsonaro left while facing court restrictions and ongoing investigations.

Trump's remarks add another point of tension between Washington and Brasilia. The president has repeatedly criticized Brazil's political developments and expressed support for Bolsonaro, while questioning the outcome of the election won by Lula.

International observers described the Brazilian election as free and fair. Bolsonaro's departure has nevertheless become a diplomatic issue, with Brazilian authorities seeking information about the arrangements that allowed him to leave the country.

Rubio also met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira during the G20 gathering, and the two reportedly agreed to hold additional discussions in the coming weeks. The diplomatic contacts suggest both governments are attempting to maintain communication despite disagreements over the election and Bolsonaro's arrival in Florida.

For now, Trump has made clear that Bolsonaro is welcome in the United States, although the president has ruled out an immediate meeting with the Brazilian politician. The senator's immigration status and the investigations awaiting him in Brazil remain unresolved.