In a dramatic turn of events during a live debate, Brazilian mayoral candidate José Luiz Datena attacked his opponent, Pablo Marçal, with a chair. The incident, which took place on Sunday and was broadcast by TV Cultura, has since been widely covered by CNN, NBC, and The Washington Post.
Datena, a 67-year-old news anchor, struck Marçal, a 37-year-old far-right influencer, during a heated exchange. The altercation occurred after Marçal brought up past sexual harassment allegations against Datena, which Datena claimed had been dismissed years ago and were not substantiated by evidence.
In a statement to TV Cultura, Datena explained his actions, saying Marçal’s references to the long-dismissed case were deeply upsetting and had caused significant distress within his family. Datena had previously threatened Marçal during an earlier debate and acted on those threats when Marçal taunted him on Sunday.
Datena admitted he “lost his cool” but did not express regret for the incident, stating, “I made a mistake, but I don’t regret it in any way,” according to The New York Times.
Marçal received medical treatment at Sírio Libanês Hospital. Initial reports suggest he may have suffered a fractured rib and a dislocated finger, though the full extent of his injuries is still being assessed. Marçal has likened the attack to the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump, expressing his dismay on Instagram with a photo from the incident and the caption, “Why all this hate?”
Marçal’s representatives announced plans to pursue legal action, labeling the attack as a “cowardly” act. A spokesperson for Marçal emphasized that Datena used an iron chair to strike Marçal in the ribs.
The attack's impact on the mayoral race remains uncertain. Datena, currently polling in fifth place, and Marçal, in third behind Ricardo Nunes and Guilherme Boulos, could see shifts in their standings as the incident garners widespread attention. Political analyst Andre Cesar suggested that the altercation might be a strategic move to boost Datena’s lagging campaign, noting that “most voters had no idea he was a candidate, and now everyone is talking about him.”
As of now, neither candidate has responded to requests for comment from Business Insider.
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