They Voted for Trump
Javier Milei won in Argentina — well, more or less. It would be more accurate to say that Donald Trump won. Instead of trusting the “forces of heaven” that Milei appeals to in his raving, at least 10% of Argentines — a decisive percentage — bet on the torrent of dollars that comes with U.S. support. He secured an injection of $20 billion, for now — an infusion essential to hopes for recovery. The legacies of Presidents Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Kirchner were more than disastrous.
Milei "was a big winner and had a lot of help from us. He had a lot of help, I gave him support, very strong support,” Trump said, insisting “the margin of victory was "really unexpected" and that "people thought it would be difficult to win, but not only did he win, he won by a lot,” and “It was a landslide!”
A third of Argentines did not vote. They were bored, justifiably skeptical or could not get to and from the polling stations — perhaps the case for many retirees. Of those who did vote, most were determined not to support or trust progressive neo-Peronism and Kirchnerism, which received less than a third from the two-thirds who voted. The Milei option did not appeal to them either. People viewed Milei as too imperialistic and someone with bad advisers who would continue to serve, according to many observers.
But what other option was there? The moderate and centrist candidates of a new third party: The United Provinces. People considered their names to be “good,” but they were centrists for whom this is not the moment in today's polarized Argentina. Milei — with all his attendant risks, but with Trump’s firm support — seemed the best alternative.
Here’s hoping he will calm down a bit: less rock and roll; fewer trips to receive minor awards from the world's far right; better manners and more respect for institutional powers and other potentially allied political parties; and toning down his own egocentrism and that of those closest to him, particularly his sister, Karina.
This time, Milei's acceptance speech was calm and focused, friendly, conciliatory and polite, unlike any other he has given throughout his career. For many, that seems promising. If it continues, along with more dollars delivered from abroad, the better it will be for them. It is true that loans and dependence are growing, but that doesn’t worry Argentines much. It will not be the first time that they renegotiate with “write-offs.”
Perhaps Milei realizes that this still won’t be enough to balance the accounts, curb spending and stop inflation — the first issues he has to address. Applause for that. Those issues should be first and foremost for any government or administrator, whoever that is.
However, you cannot ignore the social issue, that of those who are always forgotten among us, it must be addressed seriously and not with a chainsaw. In the long run, that never works, especially when people can vote.
No matter how often it is repeated, it remains true that you can try to keep a horse from eating, but you have to remember that the horse will last for a little while before it starves to death in the long run.
If Milei understands this, then the path — with its torrent of dollars — will be easier. However, if he insists on the “forces of heaven” and that no one knows as much or is better than he is, Sunday’s win will be one of many Pyrrhic victories, adding to the victory that was useless to Pyrrhrus himself, that king of the Balkans.
Milei "was a big winner and had a lot of help from us. He had a lot of help, I gave him support, very strong support,” Trump said, insisting “the margin of victory was "really unexpected" and that "people thought it would be difficult to win, but not only did he win, he won by a lot,” and “It was a landslide!”
A third of Argentines did not vote. They were bored, justifiably skeptical or could not get to and from the polling stations — perhaps the case for many retirees. Of those who did vote, most were determined not to support or trust progressive neo-Peronism and Kirchnerism, which received less than a third from the two-thirds who voted. The Milei option did not appeal to them either. People viewed Milei as too imperialistic and someone with bad advisers who would continue to serve, according to many observers.
But what other option was there? The moderate and centrist candidates of a new third party: The United Provinces. People considered their names to be “good,” but they were centrists for whom this is not the moment in today's polarized Argentina. Milei — with all his attendant risks, but with Trump’s firm support — seemed the best alternative.
Here’s hoping he will calm down a bit: less rock and roll; fewer trips to receive minor awards from the world's far right; better manners and more respect for institutional powers and other potentially allied political parties; and toning down his own egocentrism and that of those closest to him, particularly his sister, Karina.
This time, Milei's acceptance speech was calm and focused, friendly, conciliatory and polite, unlike any other he has given throughout his career. For many, that seems promising. If it continues, along with more dollars delivered from abroad, the better it will be for them. It is true that loans and dependence are growing, but that doesn’t worry Argentines much. It will not be the first time that they renegotiate with “write-offs.”
Perhaps Milei realizes that this still won’t be enough to balance the accounts, curb spending and stop inflation — the first issues he has to address. Applause for that. Those issues should be first and foremost for any government or administrator, whoever that is.
However, you cannot ignore the social issue, that of those who are always forgotten among us, it must be addressed seriously and not with a chainsaw. In the long run, that never works, especially when people can vote.
No matter how often it is repeated, it remains true that you can try to keep a horse from eating, but you have to remember that the horse will last for a little while before it starves to death in the long run.
If Milei understands this, then the path — with its torrent of dollars — will be easier. However, if he insists on the “forces of heaven” and that no one knows as much or is better than he is, Sunday’s win will be one of many Pyrrhic victories, adding to the victory that was useless to Pyrrhrus himself, that king of the Balkans.
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