Former United States President Donald Trump has characterized Brazil's recent presidential election as a "disgrace" but maintained he would not officially take sides in the outcome.

Trump's comments come amid heightened political tension in Brazil following the election, where incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defeated former Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. The former president's remarks also coincide with the arrival of Flavio Bolsonaro and his family in Miami, Florida, after fleeing Brazil.

"I thought the election was a great embarrassment to the people of Brazil," Trump stated on Thursday morning. He added that while he was asked by the current president not to take sides, his observation of the events led him to deem the contest "a disgrace." Trump also pointed to the Brazilian market's performance, noting it "went down through the floor."

The implications of Trump's statements could further polarize the political discourse surrounding the Brazilian election, potentially offering a degree of validation to those questioning the results. The involvement of the U.S. in facilitating the Bolsonaro family's relocation also raises questions about diplomatic relations and asylum policies.

Flavio Bolsonaro, son of the defeated former president, and his family arrived in Miami on Wednesday. Reports suggest the U.S. government may offer them permanent residency. This move followed a tumultuous period in Brazil, where the Supreme Court had ordered the former senator to surrender his passports amid investigations into embezzlement and money laundering.

Bolsonaro's departure from Brazil was reportedly clandestine, crossing into Argentina with his family before traveling via private plane through Ecuador to the United States. Upon arrival in Miami, Bolsonaro issued a statement asserting his claim to the presidency and describing the allegations against him as a "politically motivated witch-hunt." He urged the international community not to "normalize what is happening in Brazil" and declared his intention to lead the country's opposition from the U.S., though he provided no evidence for his claims.

Despite Bolsonaro's assertions, his own Liberal Party has publicly stated its acceptance of the election's outcome. The election saw Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva win the run-off by more than four million votes. In the immediate aftermath of the election, the Brazilian real depreciated by 12 percent against the dollar in spot trading, reflecting economic uncertainty.

The Brazilian Supreme Court's actions and the subsequent flight of Flavio Bolsonaro highlight the deep divisions and legal challenges facing the country. The involvement of the U.S. administration in the family's journey adds an international dimension to the ongoing political saga in Brazil.