Trump Welcomes First Foreign Leader to Visit Post-Election

Donald Trump welcomed Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, to his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thursday, marking his first meeting with a foreign leader since his election victory.

The gathering, confirmed to The Associated Press by an anonymous source, took place behind closed doors and was described as cordial. During his visit, Milei also met with investors.

Later in the evening, the Argentine leader addressed a crowd at the America First Policy Institute’s gala, held at Trump’s Palm Beach club.

In a brief address, delivered in English and Spanish, Milei lashed out at what he described as “left-wing ideologies” and praised Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), for what he called Musk’s efforts to “save humanity” through the platform.

Do Donald Trump and Javier Milei Share the Same Political Ideology?

“Today, we are living under a political system that redistributes wealth at gunpoint,” Milei said, criticizing the global political elite and their role in what he sees as a flawed economic system. “It is time to fight back against this.”

Milei, a self-identified “anarcho-capitalist” with an unconventional, often fiery style, also took the opportunity to congratulate Trump on his election victory. “The winds of freedom are blowing stronger today,” he said, describing Trump’s win as “proof that the forces of heaven are on our side.”

In his remarks, Trump returned the praise, congratulating Milei for his leadership and expressing admiration for the Argentine president’s policies. “The job you’ve done is incredible,” Trump told the crowd. “Make Argentina Great Again, you know, MAGA. He’s a MAGA person,” Trump said, drawing applause. “And you know, he’s doing that.”

The two leaders’ bond is not new: Trump has been vocal in his support for Milei since the latter’s victory in November 2023.

Why Is Javier Milei Considered Unorthodox?

Just after Milei’s win, Trump posted on X, offering words of encouragement: “You will turn your country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!”

The two met in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where Milei approached Trump with effusive enthusiasm, shouting “President!” before embracing him.

Milei, who made a name for himself as a television personality and fierce critic of Argentina’s political establishment, has become one of Latin America’s most notable figures of the right.

Populist Rhetoric

Known for his unorthodox approach to governance, Milei campaigned alongside a chain saw, symbolizing his promise to slash public spending and eliminate government ministries he deemed unnecessary.

His rhetoric and antiestablishment stance have made him a polarizing figure, but also a favorite among those who feel disillusioned with the country’s political elite.

The Mar-a-Lago meeting underscores the growing alignment between Trump and leaders in Latin America, with both leaders embracing a national agenda and seeking to challenge what they describe as the overreach of globalist policies.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press