Bolsonaro Supporters Launch Boycott of Havaianas Over Political TV Ad
On 22 December 2025, supporters of Jair Bolsonaro initiated a boycott of the Havaianas sandal brand following the release of a television advertisement featuring Fernanda Torres. In the ad, Torres suggests that audiences should begin 2026 not just on the right foot but with both feet, a statement interpreted as a criticism of the political right.
The immediate impact of the boycott was significant, wiping approximately £20 million off Havaianas' market value on its first day. Eduardo Bolsonaro, Jair Bolsonaro's son, reacted by posting a video in which he throws a pair of Havaianas sandals into a bin. He stated that while the sandals are a national symbol of Brazil, they are now associated with a spokesperson of the left-wing.
Eduardo Bolsonaro's own political mandate had been revoked after he left his congressional position to move to the United States to lobby former President Trump regarding his father's trial. The far right in Brazil is currently described as leaderless following Bolsonaro's imprisonment for attempting a coup d'état, and Havaianas has emerged as a new target for their protest actions.
As of the report, neither Fernanda Torres nor the Havaianas brand had issued any public comments about the controversy.
Reactions among Bolsonaro supporters included memes and suggestions to replace sandals with an electronic ankle tag in Brazil’s national colours. This mockery references a security monitor device linked to past Bolsonaro controversies, reflecting a sarcastic tone from the boycotters.
