Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, met with Argentinian President Javier Milei, showcasing a camaraderie reminiscent of their previous encounters. A video shared on Milei and Musk’s official X accounts captured their warm handshake, with Musk notably wearing a MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat. Milei, sporting a smile, responded with a gesture pointing at the hat, though the exact words exchanged were unclear. This meeting occurred as Milei visited New York City to deliver Argentina’s national address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
Following their initial greeting, Musk engaged with others in Milei’s entourage. He later posed for a photo with the president, giving a double thumbs up, echoing a similar photo-op from their previous meeting. According to Manuel Adorni, the presidential spokesperson, Musk and Milei discussed various economic policies implemented by Argentina, including deregulation and tax incentives like RIGI, aimed at attracting investments. They also explored Argentina’s path towards normalcy.
Musk and Milei previously connected on the sidelines of the Milken Institute Global Conference in May. Following that meeting, Musk famously stated, “I recommend investing in Argentina.” Earlier this month, he praised Milei’s policies for “restoring Argentina’s greatness.”
Milei, a staunch advocate for free markets, secured victory in the November elections after promising significant public spending cuts to address Argentina’s fiscal deficit and rising inflation. His libertarian ideology is further reflected in his support for Bitcoin, making him one of the few heads of state openly endorsing the cryptocurrency. However, his austerity measures have also drawn criticism, with many taking to the streets to protest his attempts to curb pension spending.
