Trumpworld Finds Inspiration in Argentina's Maverick President Javier Milei

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Donald Trump and his allies have embraced Argentina’s libertarian president, Javier Milei, as a political role model, citing his radical efforts to slash government spending and deregulate the economy. Milei, a chainsaw-wielding populist who rose to power with unorthodox charisma, is now a celebrated figure in right-wing circles in the United States, where his approach has been touted as an example for dismantling the so-called administrative state.  

 

Shortly after Trump’s election victory, Milei appeared at a black-tie event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where he was warmly welcomed by Trump, tech mogul Elon Musk, and other luminaries. Known for his flamboyant persona, the Argentine leader danced to disco hits and declared, “The forces of heaven [were] on our side.” He was the first world leader to meet Trump in person after the November 5 election, underscoring their ideological camaraderie.  

 

Milei’s political style has drawn comparisons to Trump and Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro. Like them, Milei has positioned himself as a disruptor, railing against perceived leftist elites and promising sweeping reforms. Since taking office, he has dramatically cut public spending, dissolved government ministries, and pushed deregulation with an intensity that has captivated Trump allies such as entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy has championed “Milei-style cuts, on steroids,” advocating mass federal layoffs in the U.S.  

 

While Trump has framed his critique of American governance as a response to crises akin to Argentina’s, the realities differ significantly. Argentina’s economic dysfunction, marked by decades of hyperinflation and chronic deficits, created fertile ground for Milei’s radical agenda. Despite Trump’s claims of a comparable crisis in the U.S., such parallels lack substantive support. However, both leaders share a strategy rooted in political grievance and a commitment to upending the perceived status quo, bolstered by influential financial elites.  

 

Milei has praised Musk as “a great fighter for the ideas of freedom” and a champion against what he calls “the socialist virus.” This alignment with Musk and other Silicon Valley figures reflects the merging of libertarian ideals with populist rhetoric, a combination that resonates deeply within Trump’s orbit.  

 

The implications of this alliance could reshape U.S.-Latin America relations. Christopher Sabatini of Chatham House predicts that Trump’s ties with Milei and other nationalist populists would shift White House policy toward partisan support for such leaders, marking a departure from traditional diplomacy. Sabatini warns this could deepen divisions in the Western Hemisphere, exacerbating the ideological rift between hard-right and centrist or leftist governments.  

 

Milei’s economic policies have yielded mixed results. Inflation in Argentina has fallen from nearly 300 percent, and the country has achieved a budget surplus for the first time in years. Government bonds are recovering, and economic activity shows signs of revival. However, these gains have come at a steep cost. With state welfare cutbacks, frozen pensions, and the closure of soup kitchens, poverty has soared to its highest levels in two decades.

 

Kirsten Sehnbruch, a Latin America expert, described the situation as “absolutely horrendous,” highlighting the disproportionate burden on the poor.  

 

Despite Milei’s efforts, skepticism persists about the sustainability of his reforms and the potential benefits of a Trump presidency for Argentina. As Benjamin Gedan of the Wilson Center noted, U.S. businesses remain wary of Argentina’s volatile economy, and Trump’s protectionist tariffs could undermine Milei’s free-market agenda.  

 

Based on a report by WP News 2024-11-27