A New Chapter in the War Against the Media
President Javier Milei has reignited controversy with his attacks on journalism, this time with direct insults aimed at Marcelo Bonelli, a columnist for Clarín, one of Argentina's largest newspapers. On his X account (formerly Twitter), Milei called Bonelli a “miserable piece of human excrement”, a “piece of shit”, and a “liar”. The aggression followed a column by Bonelli reporting on a meeting between Economy Minister Luis Caputo and bankers, where measures to boost consumption were discussed, along with doubts about Milei's re-election prospects.
The president didn't stop at Bonelli—he also amplified dozens of messages against other journalists and media, in an escalation that worries press freedom organizations and the opposition.
Bonelli's Response: “Watch Your Language”
Marcelo Bonelli responded firmly to the presidential insults. On his Radio Mitre program, the journalist urged Milei to “watch his language” and not degrade the presidential institution with such attacks. He called the insults a “sign of impotence” because the president cannot refute the published information.
Bonelli also challenged Milei to focus on real economic problems, such as debt, lack of employment growth, and wages, and to clarify situations involving Manuel Adorni and Fernando Cerimedo.
A Systematic Campaign Against the Press
The attack on Bonelli is not an isolated incident. According to a survey conducted between August 17 and 23, Milei reproduced 335 messages against the press, wrote 26 of his own, and mentioned journalism derogatorily 21 times in public speeches. In total, he targeted 16 journalists and 9 media companies.
Among the targeted journalists are Manu Jove, Mercedes Ninci, Nelson Castro, Nancy Pazos, Víctor Hugo Morales, and María O'Donnell, among others. The questioned media include LA NACION, Clarín, Infobae, Perfil, El Destape, Crónica TV, LN+, TN, and C5N.
The president accused journalists of being “corrupt, liars, bribed” and of working to “bring down the government”. He even used the slogan “we don't hate journalists enough”, in a clear provocation.
Speech at the Council of the Americas and Veto on Journalists
The escalation occurred in parallel with a speech Milei gave at the Council of the Americas, where he again insulted the press. At that event, journalists were barred from entering the main hall, a measure that drew strong criticism from press associations.
Defense and Counterattack: Varsavsky and Nelson Castro
Businessman Martín Varsavsky, a friend of the president, came to his defense, stating that Milei “has no psychiatric problem” and that his attacks are because he doesn't “buy” the press. However, journalist and neurologist Nelson Castro argued that Milei has “a psychiatric problem, clearly”, though without citing a clinical evaluation.
ADEPA Condemns the Attacks
The Association of Argentine Journalistic Entities (ADEPA) strongly condemned the president's attacks, noting that aggression and insults degrade public debate and undermine press freedom. In a statement, ADEPA urged the president to respect journalists' work and to debate with ideas, not insults.
Caputo's Response: “Friday Fantasies”
Economy Minister Luis Caputo also weighed in on Bonelli's column. Sharing it on X, he called it “Friday fantasies”, in an attempt to discredit the published information.
The situation creates a climate of tension between the government and the media, with a president showing no signs of moderating his discourse and a press that resists pressure. Press freedom, a pillar of democracy, is once again at the center of the debate.