Argentina’s much-mocked Javier Milei just might get the last laugh

The Washington Post ^ | December 12, 2024 8:28 a.m. EST | Ian Birrell

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It is easy to mock Argentine president Javier Milei, with his crazy hair, cloned dogs and claims of expertise at tantric sex. He was, after all, nicknamed “El Loco” (The Madman) as a teenage goalkeeper and seems often determined to perpetuate this reputation with his egotistical boasts and brutal attacks on critics. Yet, when this explosive character said recently he was one of the two most “relevant” politicians on this planet alongside Donald Trump, he might just turn out to be right.

For the self-styled “anarcho-capitalist,” who campaigned with a chainsaw as a symbol of his desire to slash the bloated state and free the economy, has embarked upon a messianic mission to salvage his stagnant nation. Carried unexpectedly to power on a wave of public contempt for failed politicians and a corrupt elite, Milei is trying to unleash, in a statist society, a libertarian revolution that one aide described to me as “turbocharged Thatcherism.”

Milei’s radical experiment is being watched closely around the world. Debt-laden governments are grappling with surging spending — not least in Washington, where Elon Musk has been tasked by President-elect Donald Trump to perform similar surgery to the federal budget, and in Britain, where shattered Conservatives are searching for fresh ideas after ejection from office. Milei has responded with a typical lack of modesty, bragging that he is “exporting the model of the chainsaw and deregulation to the whole world,” while telling the Economist magazine that his contempt for the state remains “infinite” after his first year in office.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

...his contempt for the state remains “infinite” after his first year in office.

What's not to like?

[TheDon]

“who campaigned with a chainsaw as a symbol of his desire to slash the bloated state”

I’m in love....lol

[irishjuggler]

“What’s not to like?”

Only thing not to like is that he has softened his truth-telling about Pope Bergoglio’s Marxism, but politics sometimes requires a few pulled punches.

[Jonty30]

Inflation down to under 3%. What isn’t to like?

[Dr. Sivana]

Inflation down to under 3%. What isn’t to like?

Per month. A great start, but his work isn't done.

[MtnClimber]

I will donate a chainsaw to Trump if he will campaign with it.

[Repeat Offender]

Yes - 3% per month…..down from 25%/mo inflation when he took over and bordering hyperinflation. Quite the achievement in a yr.

[BitWielder1]

A nation can't spend itself out of poverty, but he showed that cutting spending actually works.
People on the Right has said that for decades, Leftists refuse to believe it.
Now we have proof.

[con-surf-ative]

Watch Milei’s Tucker Carlson interview. Ought to be required viewing for all members of Trump’s incoming economic team.

[brookwood]

“he was, after all, nicknamed “El Loco” (The Madman) as a teenage goalkeeper”
So the nickname given to him my unnamed other people when he was a teenager is relevant? I had a nickname and gave nicknames to others as a teenager. None of these names can be repeated in polite company.

[Still a Patriot]

https://tuckercarlson.com/javier-milei

[Organic Panic]

“Milei’s radical experiment “

What a crock. Communism WAS the “radical experiment” and has failed every damned time. Milei’s biggest sin is exposing how every other nation on that continent is failed because of crap marxist communist or bolivarian have ALL led to misery and death.

[chuckee]

He also scored Argentina’s first budget surplus in 123 years after being office for one year. If he’s chainsaw crazy, then crazy will always have my vote

[libertylover]

Carried unexpectedly to power on a wave of public contempt for failed politicians and a corrupt elite,

Ha, ha. I guess the Washington Post is so out of touch that Donald Trump's victory was also "unexpected".

[Albion Wilde]

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Excellent.

[MinorityRepublican]

where shattered Conservatives are searching for fresh ideas

Reform UK

[Widget Jr]

Yes, he actually campaigned with a chainsaw. AP, Daniel Politi and Daviod Biller, October 20, 2023
"A man, a plan, a chainsaw: How a power tool took center stage in Argentina's presidential race"

And it looks like he had fun with it.

Looking a little too 1980's slasher movie? That was the point he was making.

[libertylover]

These are good. Thanks.

[TTFX]