Trump threatens to cut US aid to Argentina if Milei loses election

[Mr. Sparkle]

Source: The Guardian

Donald Trump has warned he could cut financial aid to Argentina if his ally Javier Milei loses crucial legislative elections later this month. “If he loses, we are not going to be generous with Argentina,” the US president said as Milei visited the White House to seek the Republican’s political and economic support. “I’m with this man because his philosophy is correct. And he may win and he may not win – I think he’s going to win. And if he wins we are staying with him, and if he doesn’t win we are gone.”

Trump’s administration has already promised $20bn to prop up Argentina’s struggling economy but his backing has failed to calm the markets – or help Milei’s polling before midterms on 26 October. The results of the elections, in which Milei’s minority party is hoping to boost its seat tally, will dictate whether he can pass tough cost-cutting reforms or will face a legislative brick wall for the next two years of his term.

Hailing Milei as a “great leader”, Trump said he would “fully endorse” his ideological ally in the elections. “He’s Maga all the way, it’s ‘Make Argentina Great Again,’” he added. Trump has, however, faced questions about how a big bailout for Argentina tallies with that same “America First” policy. Asked by reporters what the benefit to the United States was, Trump replied: “We are helping a great philosophy take over a great country. We want to see it succeed.”

With Argentina struggling to stave off yet another financial crisis and Milei’s disapproval ratings rising, the country’s president has come to his rightwing ally Trump for help.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/14/trump-threatens-to-cut-us-aid-to-argentina-if-milei-loses-election

[Buddyzbuddy]

1. That's not generosity you moron, that's extortion.

It's also using American taxpayers money to do so, at a time we need it here at home.

[peppertree]

4. Hear, hear

And to add to the absurdity of it all, Milei's neo-fascist coalition is already dead on arrival.

Long-simmering resentment over the deteriorating job market and sliding real wages, has been compounded recently by proof of massive corruption - led by none other than Milei's witch-doctor sister (and Chief of Staff), Karina Milei.

As it is, they can only count on around 70 house members anymore (out of 257) and 7 senators (out of 72) - having pretty much pissed off all their center-right allies.

Just this week, it took Trump's fixer - Barry Bennett (currently in Buenos Aires, to run interference) - to lean on just enough congressmen in Argentina to stop yet another legislative defeat (!).

Milei himself is widely suspected to be mulling resignation after what will likely be a trouncing two weeks from now. Witnesses have reported repeated nervous breakdowns on his part - for which his sister apparently keeps a steady supply of opiates (plus chants, incense and such).

Milei's visible weight gain - and incoherent speech in interviews - over the past month or so seem to confirm some of that.

As the Turkish proverb says: when you crown a clown, he doesn't become a king...

The palace becomes a circus.

[cstanleytech]

2. He wants another safe haven for himself and his ultra wealthy supporters to flee to as a backup plan.

[peppertree]

5. That, in fact, is the going rumor in Argentina: that Milei is mulling resignation

Followed, of course, by a late-night flight to Miami - where he and his witch-doctor sister keep a condo.

As the Turkish proverb says: when you crown a clown, he doesn't become a king...

The palace becomes a circus.

[cstanleytech]

7. Unless he gets a pardon from Vance in which case he won't have to worry about any Federal charges.

So his only worry then will be charges at the State level.

[peppertree]

8. True. I guess Trump and Milei can trade places.

Milei, putzing around in Miami, caterwauling about "communists" to any Cubans who might still want to hear him...

And Trump, golfing in some segregated Buenos Aires suburb with his old pal Macri.

Trump drove Macri's father to a heart attack in '85, and the younger Macri still kisses his ass - so you know he'll look the other way when Cheeto cheats.

[Grins]

3. Not going to be generous with Argentina? Too late.

Your treasury Secretary already bought the $20 BILLION in Argentine notes.

[peppertree]

6. America Last

This is HIGH treason.

And, oh, by the way - Argentine markets are still falling.

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

9. We have midterms coming up. What if the EU and others did the same here?

I would love to see the EU and other important allies say, "If the Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate in the 2026 election then they will cut off aid/trade with the US until such time as the Democrats regain control of the US government."

It would make the MAGA's freak the fuck out.

"Foreign interference!!!!" they would cry. And they'd be right. But isn't the Old Man doing the same thing with this threat to Argentina?

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Blatant interference in another country's elections

which is what you'd expect from a rapist who received it in his elections, although in a different form. And while his party has shut down the US government, and is causing chaos with randomly shifting tariffs screwing up any form of business planning. But they have money to buy foreign elections (just not to save foreign lives).

[peppertree]

11. And for nothing!

Because Milei's narco-capitalist party is dead on arrival already (he calls it "anarcho-capitalist" - but has at least two confirmed narco-politicians in Congress).

Evidence of a massive kickback scheme led by his own sister (and Chief of Staff)... of links to drug traffickers like Fred Machado (who apparently even helped write economic policy)... and, of course, a sharp double-dip recession, have all but doomed him and his far-right allies (think Galtieri - but elected, and in business attire).

But, of course, Cheetolini understands none of this - so Milei and Bessent (whose pals are trying to dollarize and offshore their Argentine investments in a hurry) are milking the fat bastard for all he's worth.

At U.S. taxpayer expense - it goes without saying.