Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, made a notable appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) outside Washington, where he met with former President Donald Trump. Milei, a right-wing populist who took office in December, has drawn inspiration from Trump’s campaign tactics, even sporting red “Make Argentina Great Again” hats. During their meeting, Milei greeted Trump with an enthusiastic hug and the two posed for pictures together. Trump encouraged Milei to “Make Argentina Great Again,” to which Milei responded with his famous phrase, “Long live freedom, damn it!”
Prior to attending CPAC, Milei had met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Buenos Aires. Despite allegations from a top Milei official that U.S. Ambassador Marc Stanley had advised against Milei speaking at CPAC due to its political nature, Milei and his security minister, Patricia Bullrich, still made their appearance at the conference. Bullrich emphasized that Milei was there as a speaker to give a general speech, not to discuss the election. The State Department did not comment on the situation.
During his speech at CPAC, Milei urged the crowd to resist socialism and to reject increased economic regulations. He also condemned abortion access, referring to it as a “murderous agenda” aimed at reducing the population. Milei cautioned against being swayed by calls for social justice and emphasized the importance of fighting for freedom to avoid falling into misery. His passionate address resonated with the audience as he echoed popular Trump themes on issues such as migration and socialism.
Milei’s appearance at CPAC marked the culmination of several foreign politicians who had spoken at the event, all echoing sentiments similar to those of Trump. His message of preserving freedom and resisting socialism struck a chord with the conservative audience, who applauded his stance against government intervention in the economy and his defense of individual liberties. Milei’s fiery rhetoric and embrace of Trump’s political style further solidified his status as a prominent figure in the global conservative movement.
Overall, Javier Milei’s presence at CPAC and his meeting with Donald Trump underscored the growing influence of right-wing populist leaders on the world stage. By aligning himself with Trump and espousing similar values, Milei has positioned himself as a staunch defender of freedom and an opponent of socialism. His passionate speech at CPAC resonated with attendees, who embraced his message of individual liberty and resistance against government overreach. As the political landscape continues to evolve, figures like Milei are likely to play a significant role in shaping the future direction of conservative movements worldwide.
