Trump meets with Milei, the first president he has received since the elections

Donald Trump met on Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago club with Argentine President Javier Milei, the first foreign leader to meet with the president-elect of the United States since his victory in last week’s elections.

The meeting was confirmed by a person who insisted on anonymity in order to speak about an event that had not yet been publicly announced. The person indicated that the meeting went well and that Milei also met with investors.

Shortly after, Milei — who claims to be an “anarcho-capitalist” and frequently receives praise from Trump — spoke at the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago.

He spoke briefly in English and 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 the social network helping to save humanity.

Milei also attacked a ruling political class that, he said, is responsible for a system that uses unfair tax systems to force “the redistribution of wealth at gunpoint.”

The Argentine leader also congratulated Trump for his “resounding victory” in the elections and noted that “Today the winds of freedom are blowing much stronger.” In addition, he described the result of the elections as “reliable proof that the forces of heaven are on our side.”

Trump also addressed those attending the gala, congratulating Milei “for the work you have done for Argentina” and saying that it was an “honor” to have the president in his club.

“The work you have done is incredible. Make Argentina great again, you know, MAGA. He is a MAGA person,” Trump said to applause, referring to the acronym for his “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan. “And you know, he’s doing it.”

Shortly after Milei was elected in November 2023, Trump posted on social media: “You will turn your country around and truly make Argentina great again!”

Milei met Trump in February at the Conservative Action Policy Conference (CPAC) in the Washington area. She has openly declared her admiration for Trump and, when she saw him, she ran towards him shouting, “President!”, and gave him a big hug before posing for photos.

The right-wing populist Argentine leader is known for his eccentric personality. He became known by shouting against Argentina’s “political caste” on television, and campaigned with a chainsaw, saying it symbolized his plans to drastically reduce public spending and eliminate government ministries.

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