On May 8, 2025, a humorous blunder by the Chamber of Deputies in Brazil has sparked a wave of social media reactions. The official account of the Chamber mistakenly tagged influencer Hugo Gloss instead of Deputy Hugo Motta in a post celebrating the election of Pope Leão XIV. This mix-up has not only drawn laughter but also highlighted the popularity of Gloss, who boasts an impressive following of 21.5 million on Instagram.
The post, which was meant to convey a message from Deputy Motta regarding the new pope, was published on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). It stated, "President of the Chamber, @HugoGloss, said he hopes Pope Leão XIV continues the legacy of tolerance, dialogue, and conciliation left by Pope Francis." This error was quickly noticed and led to the post being deleted and replaced with the correct information, tagging Deputy Motta instead.
In a light-hearted response to the gaffe, Deputy Motta took to social media, joking about the confusion. "I think you all saw that a staff member from the communication department of the Chamber confused me with my namesake, Hugo Gloss, who is much more popular than I am," he said with a smile. Despite the mix-up, Motta used the opportunity to reiterate his support for Pope Leão XIV, stating, "We hope that the new pope can maintain the legacy of tolerance and inclusion that beloved Pope Francis left us. I’m sure my namesake also hopes for this."
Gloss, for his part, embraced the moment and responded to fans who suggested he run for president of the Chamber. In a cheeky post, he expressed his gratitude to his "electors" and humorously advocated for singer Beyoncé, saying, "Thank you, voters! Brazil above all, Beyoncé above all!" This playful comment not only showcased his wit but also resonated with his LGBTQIA+ fanbase, as Beyoncé is a prominent figure within that community.
The original post from the Chamber was available online for a brief period, from 15:45 to 16:02, before it was corrected. During that time, it became fodder for memes and jokes across the internet, with many users sharing screenshots of the blunder. The Chamber later issued a statement explaining the mix-up, confirming that the post had been corrected and clarifying that it was an inadvertent error.
Interestingly, Deputy Motta has been positioning himself as an "influencer" since assuming the presidency of the Chamber. His team has employed various marketing strategies, including producing videos where he answers questions from constituents and explaining legislative processes. They even coined the slogan "Dá um Hoogle," a clever play on his name that combines it with the search engine Google, aimed at making him more relatable and accessible to the public.
The incident highlights not only the challenges of maintaining professionalism in political communications but also the impact of social media on public figures. As the lines blur between traditional politics and digital influence, such humorous errors may become more common. The quick reactions from both Motta and Gloss demonstrate their ability to leverage social media for personal branding, turning a potential embarrassment into an opportunity for engagement.
As political figures increasingly navigate the complexities of digital platforms, the need for accuracy in communication remains paramount. However, the ability to handle mistakes with humor and grace can often resonate more with the public than a flawless record. This incident serves as a reminder that even in politics, a little laughter can go a long way.
In the end, the mix-up between Hugo Motta and Hugo Gloss not only entertained social media users but also underscored the evolving landscape of political communication in Brazil. It illustrates the growing importance of social media presence for politicians and the potential for influencers to shape public discourse. As this dynamic continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how figures like Motta and Gloss further engage with their audiences in the future.
