On November 4, 2025, a political storm erupted across two continents as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia unleashed a barrage of criticism against former President Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout to Argentina. Greene’s remarks—made during a fiery appearance on The Tucker Carlson Show—have not only rattled the Republican establishment in Washington but also cast a spotlight on the far-reaching consequences of U.S. intervention in Argentina’s turbulent political landscape.
Greene, never one to mince words, called Trump’s bailout “one of the grossest things I’ve ever seen.” Her frustration was palpable as she argued that the deal, which coincided with a quadrupling of Argentine beef imports, amounted to a betrayal of American cattle ranchers. “It’s a punch in the gut to all of our American cattle ranchers, and they are furious and rightfully so,” Greene declared, according to The Tucker Carlson Show. She questioned the logic of prioritizing a country “literally at the bottom of South America in the Southern Hemisphere” over domestic producers, challenging the very foundation of Trump’s “America First” mantra.
Trump, for his part, took to social media to defend the bailout, asserting, “If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible!” But Greene’s skepticism resonated with a growing chorus of conservatives uneasy about the direction of U.S. economic and foreign policy. The $40 billion figure is not just a statistic; for ranchers in Texas, Nebraska, and Greene’s own Georgia district, it represents a looming threat to their livelihoods as cheaper Argentine beef floods the market, potentially driving down prices and profits for American producers.
The economic fallout, Greene argued, extends well beyond cattle ranchers. She pointed to Trump’s tariffs, which were intended to shield American farmers but have instead “destroyed U.S. soybean sales to China,” paving the way for Argentine producers to step in. “People are hurting here at home,” Greene said. “Food prices are high, rent is high, home prices are ridiculously high, cars are high, auto insurance, home insurance, health insurance is insane, energy prices are high … much more expensive than they were even a year ago.” Her comments, echoing widespread anxieties about inflation and economic instability, have struck a nerve with many Americans.
Meanwhile, the impact of the U.S. bailout has reverberated powerfully in Buenos Aires. On October 26, 2025, Argentine President Javier Milei’s far-right party, La Libertad Avanza, stunned observers by capturing 40% of the national vote in the midterm elections—a victory Milei celebrated with characteristic bravado, roaring, “I am the lion! [...] I am the king, I will tear you apart!” at jubilant rallies, according to El País. Yet, behind the bravado was a calculated shift in tone. In his post-election speech, Milei expressed a newfound willingness to work with other political groups, inviting governors from 20 of Argentina’s 24 provinces to discuss agreements for upcoming laws and reforms.
This pivot toward consensus-building, however, was not entirely voluntary. As El País reports, U.S. political pressure played a decisive role in shaping Milei’s post-election strategy. The Trump administration’s bailout, analysts argue, was as much about stabilizing the Argentine economy as it was about shoring up Milei’s fragile political position ahead of the vote. Trump reportedly threatened to withdraw support if Milei lost, creating a climate of uncertainty that pushed many anti-Peronist voters to rally behind the incumbent. “The decisive factor was the concentration of almost all non-Peronist votes behind a single option, something atypical in legislative elections,” political scientist Miguel De Luca told El País.
For many in Argentina, the specter of economic chaos and the return of Peronism—an ideology rooted in populism, labor rights, and nationalism—proved too great a risk. “The idea grew that if Milei lost, a ‘Black Monday’ would come and Peronism would return to power. U.S. intervention was the clearest demonstration of the fragility of the situation,” said political analyst Lucas Romero. The result was a wave of strategic voting that delivered Milei a decisive, if unexpected, victory.
Yet, the aftermath of the election has been anything but smooth. Milei’s attempts to broaden his political support base have faced immediate obstacles. On October 31, Guillermo Francos, his chief of ministers and the administration’s top negotiator, abruptly resigned. The following day, Interior Minister Lisandro Catalán stepped down, joining a string of high-profile exits that included Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein just days before the election. The government’s efforts to forge alliances with other parties—most notably with former president Mauricio Macri—also faltered, with Macri publicly questioning Milei’s cabinet changes and internal disputes. “We couldn’t reach an agreement,” Macri announced on social media after a failed meeting with Milei.
Political analysts remain skeptical of Milei’s new conciliatory posture. “These gestures lack credibility,” Romero told El País. “The pressure from the United States was so intense that we can’t know if Milei is truly doing this out of conviction or because he’s being forced to.” De Luca, for his part, doubts that Milei’s leadership style will fundamentally change, noting, “He’s not a politically savvy figure, he never was. If he didn’t open himself up to forming a coalition government when he was weakest, why would he do it now, when he’s in a stronger position?”
Back in Washington, Greene’s critique extended beyond economics and foreign aid. She lambasted Congressional leadership, demanding more transparency on the Jeffrey Epstein files and calling for House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring Congress back to order. Greene also questioned the wisdom of continued U.S. financial support for Israel’s wars, arguing, “Why are we considered hateful and antisemitic if we don’t want to pay for Israel’s wars constantly? That doesn’t make us antisemitic and hateful. We want our money to stay here at home.” Her remarks, while controversial, highlight the growing rift within the Republican Party over domestic versus foreign priorities.
Greene's outspoken style has drawn both supporters and detractors. Some, like Senator Ted Cruz, have publicly clashed with her over her social media posts and push for transparency. Others, such as Senator Bernie Sanders, have offered surprising praise. Greene’s willingness to label the Gaza crisis a “genocide” marks a rare break from the party line, making her a lightning rod for debate.
As both the U.S. and Argentina grapple with the fallout from the bailout, the political landscape remains volatile. Greene’s relentless questioning of what “America first” truly means, coupled with Milei’s struggle to balance U.S. demands and domestic pressures, underscores the complexity of forging alliances in an era of global uncertainty. The coming months will reveal whether these political gambles pay off—or deepen the divides they were meant to bridge.
