Lula's Army WhatsApp channel helped turn Brazil's election around

The 'Lula's Army' WhatsApp channel mobilized supporters using ready-made templates and specific tasks to boost former President Lula's visibility on social media. Despite polls suggesting a Bolsonaro victory, a 24-hour live event and aggressive online coordination helped secure Lula's win. While political scientists caution that direct electoral impact is difficult to measure, the campaign successfully linked digital mobilization with grassroots efforts, turning online enthusiasm into real-world political engagement.