Argentine President Javier Milei performs a hard rock song in front of 10,000 screaming fans (to promote his new book on neoclassical economic theory!)
- Milei surprised fans with a rock song during the Buenos Aires book presentation
A book presentation on neoclassical economic theory may not sound like a crowd pleaser.
But on Wednesday, crowds of star-struck fans in Buenos Aires filled a giant hall to hear Argentina’s president, the libertarian economist Javier Milei, speak about the importance of freeing capital from state control.
Greeted like a stadium rocker as he walked onto the stage to present his new book, “Capitalism, Socialism and the Neoclassical Trap,” the libertarian president told the audience, “I wanted to do this because I really wanted to sing.”
Accompanied by a rock band, Milei grabbed a microphone and played a cover of ‘Panic Show’ by the Argentinian hard rock band La Renga, which sends 10,000 fans into a frenzy.
“I am the lion,” he shouted, shaking his unruly hair to the beat. “I am the king of a lost world.”
President of Argentina Javier Milei sings during the launch of his new book Capitalism, Socialism, and the Neoclassical Trap at the Luna Park Arena on Wednesday in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The president sent fans into a frenzy as he performed his musical show
Milei is joined by a rock band as he sings heavy metal songs at a book event
People wait in Luna Park, where Milei (not seen) presented his book
When the music stopped, he threw off his black leather jacket to reveal a suit underneath and stepped onto the stage to begin presenting his new book, which was published on May 1.
Milei initially planned to promote his book at the Buenos Aires International Book Fair, the country’s largest literary event that kicked off earlier this month. But when left-wing organizers gave speeches calling out Milei for cutting funding to cultural institutions, the president canceled the event and instead promoted a new event at the city’s Luna Park arena.
It was not Milei’s first performance. ‘Panic Show’ performances with reworked lyrics were occasionally part of campaign events.
“This connection he has with people, I’ve never seen anything like it,” said 72-year-old participant Liliana Varela as she watched Milei happily hand the gift to supporters. “He’s causing disruption exactly when we need it.”
Milei’s musical stunt is not his first; “Panic Show” appearances are a regular feature at his campaign events
Milei’s latest flamboyant episode on Wednesday comes at a sensitive time for Argentina, in the midst of its worst economic crisis in two decades, with more than half the population living in poverty and annual inflation soaring towards 300%.
An unprecedented diplomatic crisis is underway with Spain, Argentina’s top trading partner, after Milei accused Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s wife of corruption earlier this month, the Associated Press reported.
Despite the unrest, Milei’s ratings have remained strong, with die-hard fans queuing in full force in freezing weather on Wednesday and dancing to keep the energy up when Milei arrived more than an hour late.
“He is the best president in the world,” said 20-year-old Matías Muzica, dodging questions about his policies but praising him as Argentina’s answer to Donald Trump. “He can make Argentina great again.”