Javier Milei: President of Argentina - Freedom, Economics, and Corruption | Lex Fridman Podcast #453

The following is a conversation with Javier Milei, the president of Argentina. He is a libertarian, anarcho capitalist and economist who campaigned with a chainsaw that symbolized his promise to slash the corrupt bureaucracy of the state. He stepped into the presidency one year ago with a country on the brink of hyperinflation, deep in debt and suffering from mass unemployment and poverty. He took this crisis head on, transforming one of Latin America's largest economies through pure free market principles. In just a few months in office, he already achieved Argentina's first fiscal surplus in 16 years and not just avoided hyperinflation, but brought inflation down to its lowest in three years. We discuss all of this in detail, both the successes and the challenges. His depth of knowledge of economic principles, metrics and data was truly impressive and refreshing to hear from a world leader. But even bigger than the economic transformation of Argentina, Javier represents the universal fight against government corruption and the fight for freedom, economic freedom, political freedom, and freedom of speech. He has many critics, many of whom are part of the corrupt establishment he is seeking to dismantle, but many are simply Argentinian citizens scared of the pain his radical policies may bring, at least in the short term. But whether one disagrees with his methods or not, no one can deny that his presidency marks one of the most ambitious attempts at economic transformation in modern history, and that Javier Milei is truly a force of nature, combining the rigor of an economist with the passion of a revolutionary in the fight for freedom of a nation he loves. Argentina is one of my favorite countries, so I sincerely hope he succeeds. This interview was conducted with the President speaking Spanish and me speaking English with an interpreter simultaneously translating. We make the episode available, overdubbed and subtitled in both English and Spanish. Thanks to our great friends at 11 Labs. If you're watching on YouTube, you can switch between English and Spanish by clicking the gear icon, selecting audio track and then choosing the language. Same with the captions. If you're watching on X, I'll post both Spanish and English versions separately. If you're watching on Spotify or link listening elsewhere, I'll probably only post the English version. This is a first time for me doing something like this in a foreign language. It was challenging but illuminating. I hope to continue talking to many world leaders for two to three hours in this way, including Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, and Xi Jinping. I want to explore who they are, how they think, and and how they hope to help their country and humanity flourish. This is the Lex Friedman podcast to support It Please check out our sponsors in the description. And now, dear friends, here's Javier Millay. When did you first understand the value of freedom, especially economic freedom?

Walter block diamos. Dinero tiempo de reason.

So from that, what is now today? And maybe you can talk about the evolution is your philosophy, economics philosophy. You've described yourself as anarcho, capitalist, market, anarchist, libertarian. That's the ideal. And then maybe in practice and reality, you've said that you're more of a minarchist. So lay it all out. What's your economics philosophy today?

Parami hayekista. Anarchistas. Football.

So you became president 11 months ago. Can you again describe some of the actions you took? For example, you cut half the number of government ministries. Like layoffs, removed price controls. It would be interesting to lay out the first steps and what's next?

The axiones. Subsidios economico recomponiendo el presio la tarifas. And this is. La primera is no pasamo Peruni plead inflation previa facility. And says.

Maybe you can explain to me the metrics of poverty and unemployment. As you said, unemployment went down, real unemployment went down, real poverty went down. But even that aside, what have been the most painful impacts of these radical reforms? And how many of them are required in the short term to have a big positive impact in the long term?

Argentina economy. Sincere lo precious. Piso. Conel for the milpas.

You've spoken about the caste, the corrupt political establishment. So there's a lot of powerful people and groups that are against your ideas. What does it take to fight when so much power is against you? The.

Process.

So you're not only fighting for economic freedom, you're fighting for freedom of speech.

Exactament. La democracia liberal republicana con control de poderes. And. Argentina.

Like you said, in this fight against corruption, you're challenging some very powerful people, a powerful establishment. Are you ever afraid for your life? Potential assassinations?

No. And this is.

Another guy who fights for freedom. Freedom of speech, in this case is your new friend, Elon Musk. What do you admire and what have you learned from your interactions with Elon. Musk? Like you said, Elon and Vivek Ramaswamy are heading the Doge Department of Government Efficiency. So from your experience this year as president of Argentina and every chainsaw economic policies that you've implemented, what advice would you give to Elon and Vivek about how to do it in the United States? You've spoken with Donald Trump. Allegedly, he called you his favorite president. What did you discuss and maybe again, what do you admire about President Trump and what do you learn from him?

The.

Why is it important to you that Argentina has a close relationship with the United States?

La democracia liberal?

Do you think it's still possible one of the radical ideas you had as you were running for president was to dollarize the Argentine economy? Do you think that's still a good idea? Are you still thinking about.

Pero.

Let me ask you a very important, difficult question. I'm a huge fan to have been my whole life of Diego Maradona and Messi. So who to you is the greatest football player of all time?

Argentino juniors.

But it's not just the numbers or the World cup win. It's the moments of genius on the field. Messi is unlike any other in that way.

Messiah Segosa Ki.

Did you watch the 1986 World cup with Maradona, with the. With the hand of God, with the game against England? What was that like?

Okay.

You were a great footballer yourself in your youth. You were a goalkeeper. Many people would say that's the toughest and the most important position in football. Maybe you could speak about that experience and in general, what's harder being a goalkeeper or president?

Primero.

Let me ask you a very important, difficult question. I'm a huge fan, have been my whole life of Diego Maradona and Messi. So who to you is the greatest football player of all time?

Argentino juniors.

But it's not just the numbers or the World cup win. It's the moments of genius on the field. Messi is unlike any other in that way. Did you watch the 1986 World cup with Maradona, with the hand of God, with the game against England? What was that like?

Contrario.

You were a great footballer yourself in your youth. You were a goalkeeper. Many people would say that's the toughest and the most important position in football. Maybe you could speak about that experience. And in general, what's harder being a goalkeeper or president? How hard is it? What's been the personal toll of caring, the hope of a nation on your shoulders? What role has God played in your life? And who is God? What is the better guide for humanity? The invisible hand of the market or the hand of God? Well, enough again, going back to your youth, you are a lead singer in a rock band. Who is the greatest rock star of all time? How fun would it be to play together with the Stones? Well, I'm close friends with a band that opens for the Stones, so I would love to See this happen. How much of your rock star roots define your approach to politics, to life? Do you see yourself as a kind of showman? In part.

Absolutamente. Absolutamented. Panic show.

Your intensity and passion have earned you the nickname El Loco, the madman. Do you think some madness is necessary to challenge the powerful establishment? Let me ask you about the market. It's so interesting from your view of the world, how powerful the market is at figuring out what's best for society. Why do you think the market works so well as a guide for humanity?

System. Diamos el mejor mechanimo. Perfect.

Yeah. You've outlined these ideas in Capitalism, Socialism and their neoclassical trap. So the trap is that there's no such thing as a middle ground. It's either capitalism or socialism. And every middle ground ends up in a state of socialism.

Las intervenciones.

You mentioned your four legged children. What have you learned about life from your dogs? On the topic of loyalty in politics, I'm sure there's been a lot of people, some people who have betrayed you. Does that hurt your heart.

Depend.

There are a lot of people who admire your revolutionary spirit. What advice would you give them? Maybe young people on how to live a life like yours and have an impact on the world like you have begun to do. What gives you hope about the future of Argentina and the future of humanity?

Para vivi rempas I.

What does your famous words of Viva la libertad? How did that come about and what does it mean to you?

Viva la liberta carajo. Cuando mi presentation.

Well, there's no better way to end it. Thank you for being a warrior for freedom and thank you for talking today. Thank you. Thanks for listening to this conversation with Javier Milei. To support this podcast, please check out our sponsors in the description. And now let me leave you with some words from George Orwell. In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. Thank you for listening and hope to see you next time.