As Argentina heads to the polls for its critical legislative elections on October 26, 2025, all eyes are on President Javier Milei. His radical economic agenda and flamboyant persona have drawn a powerful ally: former U.S. President Donald Trump. But with voter anger boiling over job losses and fresh corruption scandals, can Milei’s alliance with Trump translate into domestic political survival?
Table of Contents
- The Trump-Milei Alliance: A Meeting of Minds
- What’s at Stake in Argentina’s 2025 Election?
- The Backlash Against Milei’s Economic Shock Therapy
- Corruption Scandals Threaten Milei’s “Drain the Swamp” Promise
- The Outlook: A Referendum on Radical Change
- Sources
The Trump-Milei Alliance: A Meeting of Minds
Donald Trump has thrown his full weight behind Javier Milei, publicly endorsing the Argentine president just days before the election. “He’s a great guy, he’s doing a fantastic job for Argentina,” Trump declared, framing his support as a vote for a fellow anti-establishment leader . This isn’t their first interaction; Milei was a notable invitee to Trump’s 2025 inauguration, a gesture that signaled a new chapter in U.S.-Argentina relations built on personal rapport and shared right-wing populism .
What’s at Stake in Argentina’s 2025 Election?
The October 26 vote is a pivotal mid-term election for Milei’s administration. Argentines will elect half of the Chamber of Deputies and a third of the Senate . For Milei, this is a de facto referendum on his presidency. Without a strong showing, his ability to pass further legislation—especially his controversial economic reforms—will be severely hampered by a hostile congress.
The Backlash Against Milei’s Economic Shock Therapy
Milei came to power promising to fix Argentina’s chronic economic instability with a radical libertarian agenda. His policies, which included massive spending cuts and deregulation, were meant to tame inflation and attract foreign investment. However, the immediate effect has been a sharp rise in unemployment and a cost-of-living crisis for many ordinary citizens . This economic pain is the central issue driving voter discontent ahead of the election.
Corruption Scandals Threaten Milei’s “Drain the Swamp” Promise
Adding fuel to the fire are a series of corruption allegations that directly contradict Milei’s core campaign promise to “drain the swamp.” Most damaging was a scandal in August 2025 that implicated his sister, Karina Milei, in a bribery scheme within the pharmaceutical sector . This has led many disillusioned voters to question whether Milei is truly an outsider or just a new face on an old, corrupt system .
The Outlook: A Referendum on Radical Change
Trump’s endorsement is a significant external validation, but it may not be enough to sway the Argentine electorate. The upcoming election is less about international alliances and more about the tangible impact of Milei’s policies on people’s daily lives. A poor result for Milei’s coalition would signal a public rejection of his brand of radical reform and could force a major shift in his governing strategy. The world is watching to see if this experiment in libertarian governance can survive its first major democratic test.
