Bolsonaro emerges spiritually strengthened from Paulista Avenue, even to the point of being arrested.

Two basic conclusions about the coup-mongering and religious gathering in São Paulo. Bolsonaro strengthened himself spiritually to face imprisonment. And leaders who seemed hesitant positioned themselves as heirs to his legacy. The rest is of little importance.

For example, speculation that the demonstration, with a much smaller turnout than expected, might provoke radical reactions if Bolsonaro is arrested is almost worthless. What kind of reaction? 

An uprising? Riots? Another invasion of Brasília? The "destruction" of those who arrest Bolsonaro, as Silas Malafaia bluffed in his speech attacking Alexandre de Moraes? 

A revolt supported by Braga Netto and Augusto Heleno, who already have cells under renovation awaiting the lieutenant and the generals at the Army HQ in Brasília? The spread of terror in the cities by groups of CACs (Collectors, Shooters, and Hunters) and militiamen?

Does anyone imagine that, based on the show of strength of faith on Paulista Avenue, it's possible to see Eduardo Bolsonaro reorganizing the far right, even knowing that he preferred, instead of supporting his father in São Paulo, to participate in a fascist event in Washington? Can they imagine a religious crusade led by Malafaia?

The gathering had some uses, but none promising drastic effects. One use is the identification of the politicians who will compete for the legacy left by Bolsonaro.

They took risks and showed their true colors: Tarcísio de Freitas (with a weak speech) and Romeu Zema, and, in a second group, Jorginho Mello and Ronaldo Caiado. They have a license to carry Bolsonarism forward. And Bolsonaro becomes a hypocritical saint. 

Those vying for his position in 2026 were like crocodiles in a tank on the avenue, either willingly or somewhat unwillingly (some were pushed in), and from which they will not be able to escape.

The fight now is over Bolsonaro's legacy, because the ineligible candidate no longer has military power, doesn't have Paulo Guedes, Augusto Aras, Mauro Cid, Anderson Torres, can't buy off the centrist bloc, and after the municipal elections, perhaps not even Valdemar Costa Neto and his party will have it anymore.

Bolsonaro is a gaseous entity, almost a spirit of the far right, and that becomes his function. Those who went to Paulista Avenue and climbed onto the sound truck weren't thinking about saving him, but about showing loyalty to the saint and securing the base he leaves behind.

As expected, it was proven on Sunday that Bolsonaro's most active electorate has emerged from its period of decline, a year after two setbacks: the election and the coup.

The right-wing base remains active and alive, more alive than Bolsonaro himself. In this scenario, the military, as a force capable of inspiring and mobilizing coup plotters and harboring fools and terrorists in barracks, is replaced by spiritual leaders. Braga Netto leaves and the Malafaia and Michelle era begins.

The holy war is now once again the war of customs against demons, and not the already buried possibility of a coup with military support. 

Moralistic and anti-communist preaching prevails, along with attacks on the Supreme Court, including threats to silence the Judiciary through decisions made by Congress.

Bolsonaro left Paulista Avenue certain that he is keeping groups on alert that will fight for what he defends on social media, in churches, and in municipal elections. 

But of course he expected more people and also a rallying cry from the speakers, which didn't happen. Nor did he himself, through mediocrity, prepare to offer what could have been a rallying cry.

Now, it's a matter of keeping the gears turning for regional leaders and the uncles and aunts on WhatsApp, the prayerful followers of Michelle and the right-wing parish leaders who have become irreversible extremists.

Faith is the feeling that remains from the gathering, which did not convey the expected political vigor, but at least fulfilled the task of expressing spiritual protection for the leader.

It is impossible to imagine that the effects of the Paulista Avenue incident, in which all the speakers gave a biblical tone to their speeches, could prevent the investigations from moving forward, possibly with devastating new information. 

And may Bolsonaro at some point be denounced, prosecuted, tried, convicted, and imprisoned, but with the God of Michelle and Malafaia in his heart.