Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Flávio Dino has ordered federal police to investigate allegations of foreign funding and support for Jair Bolsonaro’s election campaign. The probe will examine whether foreign money, services or other economic benefits reached political campaigns in violation of Brazilian law. Investigators will also check whether intermediaries helped conceal such support. Dino clarified that the order does not establish that any wrongdoing occurred.

The investigation will examine possible links between the Rockbridge Network, a US group co-founded by JD Vance, and two Brazilian businessmen. Police will assess whether they provided campaign-related resources or services. Dino also directed investigators to examine election advertisements linked to US prediction platform Polymarket and Meta Platforms Inc.

The order follows allegations by former presidential contender Renan Santos, who failed to reach the runoff. Santos claimed that Rockbridge and the two businessmen held discussions to secure financial support for Bolsonaro’s campaign.

Investigators will identify those who funded foreign-based social media accounts that shared election content based on Polymarket predictions. Dino noted that Polymarket’s services are prohibited in Brazil. Police will trace the funding sources and determine whether individuals or organisations in Brazil knowingly participated.

The probe will also examine whether online platforms deliberately used algorithms or applied unequal treatment that benefited or disadvantaged candidates. Authorities will separately investigate possible links between prospective campaign funding and overseas commercial interests connected to Brazil’s rare earth deposits and other strategic minerals.

Vance’s office and Polymarket did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Bloomberg also contacted Rockbridge co-founder Christopher Buskirk by phone and text, but received no immediate response. Meta referred to its earlier statements denying favouritism towards any candidate. A Bolsonaro spokesperson did not immediately comment.

Before the runoff, Brazil’s electoral court directed Meta not to alter the distribution of political or election-related content. The order followed complaints from Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign that its posts were repeatedly and systematically withheld from users. The campaign also alleged that Meta AI refused to create images related to Lula but generated pro-Bolsonaro campaign material. Meta said technical glitches affected campaigns across the board and denied intervening to favour any candidate.

Brazilian law prohibits candidates and political parties from receiving foreign funds or other forms of economic support from foreign entities or governments. Dino noted that the restriction covers services and additional benefits, not just cash. Lula defeated Bolsonaro in Sunday’s runoff.