BUENOS AIRES—Argentine President Javier Milei has been known for his online trolling, but it's now proving to be a hindrance to his free-market overhaul. In the past, such attacks helped turn Milei from an obscure economist into a political phenomenon, but they are now alienating potential allies needed to pass legislation and contributing to a decline in public support.
Milei used social media to build a winning presidential campaign in 2023 with almost no political machine, rallying support for a painful austerity program and free-market overhaul he called economic-shock therapy. His posts dominate public debate in Argentina and often intimidate political opponents.
However, the same confrontational style that propelled his rise has exposed weaknesses in office, according to Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Stimson Center. Milei's approval rating has recently fallen to its lowest level since he took office, and his chief of staff faces allegations of illicit enrichment.
Public dissatisfaction with the economy remains high, with many Argentines saying they still struggle to make ends meet, and polls suggest growing fatigue with Milei's combative style. Milei's online activity has created other headaches, including a prosecutor's investigation into his role in promoting a cryptocurrency that collapsed and wiped out millions of dollars in investor funds.
