Donald Trump, the president-elect, held a meeting on Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago club with Argentine President Javier Milei, marking the first foreign leader to meet with Trump since his recent election victory. The meeting, although not publicly announced, was confirmed by a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The source mentioned that the meeting was productive, and Milei also engaged with investors during his visit.
Shortly after the meeting, Milei, a self-proclaimed 'anarcho-capitalist' and a recipient of Trump's admiration, delivered a speech at the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago. In his address, Milei criticized left-wing ideologies and commended Elon Musk, the owner of X, for his social media platform's role in 'saving humanity.'
During the gala, Trump took the stage and praised Milei for his leadership in Argentina, expressing his delight at having the Argentine president at Mar-a-Lago. Trump lauded Milei's efforts to 'Make Argentina Great Again,' drawing parallels to his own 'MAGA' slogan that resonated with the audience.
Trump's support for Milei dates back to November 2023 when he publicly endorsed Milei's ability to transform Argentina positively. The two leaders first met at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) earlier this year, where Milei's enthusiastic reception of Trump garnered attention.
Javier Milei, known for his unconventional approach and vocal criticism of Argentina's political establishment, gained prominence through his televised confrontations with the country's 'political caste.' His campaign, featuring a chainsaw as a symbol of his commitment to reducing public spending and eliminating government departments, resonated with voters.
The meeting between Trump and Milei underscores the growing relationship between the two leaders and signals potential collaborations between the United States and Argentina in the future.
