President-elect Donald Trump met Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago club with Argentine President Javier Milei, the first foreign leader to meet with the president-elect since his victory in last week’s election.
The meeting was confirmed by a person who requested anonymity to discuss an event that had not yet been publicly announced. The person said the meeting went well and that Milei also met with investors.
Shortly afterward, Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist” and frequent recipient of Trump’s praise, addressed the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago. He spoke briefly in English, then gave a longer speech in Spanish, pausing to allow an interpreter to translate, in which he criticized left-wing ideologies and praised Elon Musk, the owner of his social media site helps “save”. humanity.”
Milei criticized a political ruling class that he said was responsible for a system that used unjust tax systems to force “wealth redistribution at gunpoint.”
The Argentine president also congratulated Trump on his “resounding victory” in the election, saying: “Today the wind of freedom blows much stronger” and calling the victory “positive proof that the forces of heaven are on our side “.
Trump also addressed the gala crowd, praising Milei “for the work you have done for Argentina” and saying it was an “honor” to have the Argentine president in his club.
“The work you have done is incredible. Make Argentina Great Again, you know, MAGA. He’s a MAGA person,” Trump said to applause. “And you know, he does that.”
Shortly after Milei’s election in November 2023, Trump posted on social media: “You will transform your country and make Argentina great again!” »
President-elect Donald Trump visited the White House on Wednesday to meet with President Joe Biden ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
Milei first met Trump in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in the Washington area. He openly declared his admiration for Trump and when he saw him, he rushed towards him shouting “President!” » and hugged him before posing for photos.
The Argentine president is known for his eccentric personality and first rose to prominence by shouting against Argentina’s “political caste” on television. The right-wing populist campaigned with a chainsaw as a prop to symbolize his plans to cut public spending and eliminate ministries.
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Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
